2010-08-29, 16:03 | Link #1 |
The GAP Man
|
Intellectualism vs. Anti Intellectualism
I don't know if I can consider myself either of these but it seems like there is stigma towards intelluals who are often labelled as snobs and/or know-it-alls. In some shows, the guy who uses his emotins is almost always right as opposed to the guy who uses logic. noboby (and I mean nobody) likes to feel like they are dumb because it makes them feel bad and nobody wants to feel that. What do you guys think of the stigma towards intellectuals?
__________________
|
2010-08-29, 16:13 | Link #2 |
Banned
|
I say it works both ways at the same time. Just call yourself a snob interlectual and let them cratch their heads.
But it's not a bad thing really. Most of the times you can just call it ad hominem and make the accuser lose face before your opinion of an anime. Thus, if they attack you for an opinion about an anime, you win. |
2010-08-29, 16:18 | Link #3 |
Disabled By Request
|
It's always best to be an intellectual but that the same time humble. True intellectuals don't act like they know everything, but instead realize that they are always students who learn and study each day of their life, and understand that as intellectuals, they are always walking the path of learning. Imo, snobbish intellectuals are more ignorant than the ignorant.
|
2010-08-29, 16:24 | Link #4 |
Frandle & Nightbag
Join Date: Oct 2009
|
What Yoko said is on the money. The problem is that you rarely encounter--either in real-life, or in fiction--a TRUE intellectual. Most people who fancy themselves intellectuals are actually pseudo-intellectuals who are more interested in trying to condescend to people that do not agree with them. This holds true regardless of a person's academic standing, too. Many a PhD-holder falls into this behavioral trap.
__________________
|
2010-08-29, 16:32 | Link #5 |
Scholar of Yanderes
Author
|
Only a true intellectual knows, that they are smart enough to say that they don't know everything.
Otherwise, if you do know everything, you're a snobby jackass. There is nothing wrong with having a higher education, but flaunting it around it is quite arrogant.
__________________
Last edited by Mr. Wang; 2010-08-29 at 16:51. |
2010-08-29, 16:41 | Link #6 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Edinburgh
Age: 42
|
Yes there is, but not necessary against intellectuals. It really depends how one defines these words, but people practicing manual labour work will always regard office workers, or people with higher education as snobs.
To be honest dumb yourself down and think like the mass, makes you happier in the long term. |
2010-08-29, 16:45 | Link #7 |
Senior Guest
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Athens (GMT+2)
Age: 35
|
There's people who study up on various things just to show off, but I can't accept the notion of not wanting to know as a protest against know-it-all wannabes...me and my friends just get more stuff to talk about.
|
2010-08-29, 16:52 | Link #8 |
~Official Slacker~
Author
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Xanadu
Age: 29
|
Well there are people who know certain things more then the other person, and there are others who know more about the other thing. It really depends on if that Intellectual person just becomes a know-it-all and tries to fancy around their knowledge of that certain subject. But when faced against another person who studied up on another certain topic, they can easily beat the know-it-all if they change the topic.
I'm more into Intellectuality, but I realize that there is always more things to learn around the world. The only way you can truly act as a know-it-all is when you actually know "All-Round" everything that the world can offer. Which can take years to do. Or thats what I think.
__________________
|
2010-08-29, 16:58 | Link #9 |
blinded by blood
Author
|
Sometimes I think being smarter is a curse.
I'm a really smart person. I learn new concepts very quickly and I'm extremely creative when it comes to problem-solving. My success rates in these areas are also very high--rarely do I undertake an important task or job and find myself unable to complete it, or fail entirely. The biggest problem with being very smart is that I'm not easily amused. It's very easy for me to get bored. My brain constantly craves input, new challenges, difficult problems to solve. Considering the current economic climate and my job--which requires virtually no brain activity--I am thoroughly, miserably bored most of the time. I know some of you will immediately chime in with an admonition to stop my whining, there are people out there with no job at all, people who can't go to college, people who have no hope--and you know what? I don't give a shit. It's already been proven time and time again that boredom can be very bad for your health. Being mind-numbingly bored is very stressful, and as we all know, high stress levels are very deleterious to one's health. Boredom is just one major contributor to a host of issues piling stress on top of me, and my health has been adversely affected as a result. I'm constantly cold. I have headaches frequently. I don't sleep well, nor do I derive much rest from the sleep I do get. All of these things just further increase my stress level. I know things will get better and the huge lead blanket of stress will be mostly lifted from my shoulders once I get out of the shelter, but for now I'm still feeling the effects.
__________________
|
2010-08-29, 17:12 | Link #10 | |
Bittersweet Distractor
Join Date: Nov 2007
Age: 32
|
Quote:
A quick defintion search online produces these results for its definition.
Nowhere here does it have anything to say about how an intellectual might treat others around them or act. They don't need to be humble to be considered one.
__________________
|
|
2010-08-29, 17:16 | Link #11 | ||
Frandle & Nightbag
Join Date: Oct 2009
|
Quote:
Though if it's that your intelligence is prompting you to convince yourself to not enjoy simpler things, well, then you're just a hipster! <3 Quote:
__________________
|
||
2010-08-29, 17:40 | Link #12 |
廉頗
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Massachusetts
Age: 34
|
Though is someone truly smart when they opt to put ideas down based on credentials? Isn't that a logical fallacy? I feel a true intellectual, even if snobby or elitist, would stick to the facts in trying to discredit others. Otherwise, they aren't all that intellectual after all.
|
2010-08-29, 17:42 | Link #13 | |
Bittersweet Distractor
Join Date: Nov 2007
Age: 32
|
Quote:
__________________
|
|
2010-08-29, 17:54 | Link #14 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: UK
Age: 31
|
There's a difference between an intelligent person, and an intelligent person who feels the need to constantly rub in and remind people of how smart they are. In general, the prejudice is mostly against the latter.
It's not like there isn't a stigma against stupid people as well. |
2010-08-29, 18:17 | Link #16 |
Banned
|
Ignorance is Bliss.
If there's one thing I've learned about wisdom, intelligence, and knowledge... it's that I know I'd be a lot happier if I was dumber and more ignorant. I can understand why, then, that people don't want to know stuff, even if I feel it's important; or why people fight against knowledge. Also: "The fool thinks himself to be wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool." --William Shakespeare "Only a fool knows everything. A wise man knows how little he knows." -- Unknown One of the things that I do find amusement in, is that people expect to change minds going into a debate, and thus get really upset with you when you don't immediately change your mind. They seem to feel that something is wrong with you, ie, "I've made lots of important points, and you still haven't agreed with me; what is your problem? Why can't you be wrong!?" When what I've realized about a debate, is that it's not important to change minds. I've alternated my goal going into one, as just trying to understand the other side. We are so quick to assume we are right and that there is no way we could be wrong, that we get caught up in trying to convince people how wrong they are.... when I feel that's the wrong approach. Go into it with the idea of at least trying to understand where the other person is coming from, and what they are trying to say; I've found that's a more fruitful way to approach debates. I feel true intellectualism is the ability to really understand where someone is coming from, even if you don't agree, rather than to try and persuade them. If you're really content on trying to prove someone wrong in an internet debate, then it says a lot about your own insecurities; that you can't accept that someone thinks different. As long as someone can backup their beliefs with decent evidence (and a lot of times, evidence can swing both ways), then a position is understandable. So when you engage someone, really ask yourself: Are you trying to turn them to your way of thinking? Or just seeking to understand them? One is a fool's errand. |
2010-08-29, 18:31 | Link #17 | |||
~Official Slacker~
Author
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Xanadu
Age: 29
|
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
__________________
|
|||
2010-08-29, 18:42 | Link #20 |
Scholar of Yanderes
Author
|
That is an excellent point, Kaijo. I find myself witnessing several debates, between two people, or two parties if you will, on things such as politics, war.... hell, I've even heard them debate on movies for crying out loud. Basically, their point was to try and convince the other that they were wrong. I find such arguments to be the equivalent to arguing with a brick wall. People's minds don't change easily. If they do change easily, than that means they don't have much grip on their own beliefs to back up their claims.
Understanding why someone believes themselves to be right, can ultimately more worthwhile than simply understanding yourself, and believing the others to be wrong. If you simply submit to whoever is arguing, what would happen should another argue a different point? What would you make of your own intellectuality of situations? Attempting to understand all points of view really is the way to go. "So it is said that if you know others and know yourself, you will not be imperiled. If you do not know others but know yourself, then you win one and lose one. If you do not know others and do not know yourself, you will always be imperiled." --Sun Tzu
__________________
|
Tags |
critic, meta |
|
|