Attitudes towards intelligence.

[Nero]

not that i have any

[GeorgeMuppet]

Society isn't getting stupider you pretentious fuck. You just ignore the intelligent people and focus on the stupids so that you feel superior to them. And thanks to my good friend the Superiority Complex, you assume you're better than everyone in society.

[hooloovoo]

Yes, as I stated.

But you're right, I am starting to sound pedantic and pretentious. I'll be more careful not to be a douche from now on. :thumbsup:
Well, there's one answer for you.

We care more about gaining attention and approval of the masses, so we play to the established field instead of asking real questions.

You're more intelligent than you usually pretend to be, but one FOTB throws a tomato at your asking a question and you're ready to throw in the towel.

Also, the phrase "my good friend the Superiority Complex" is a terrible phrasing of an insult because it infers SteamCat has one himself.

[Generic Box Of Cookies]

It's rare to find someone you can have a deep intellectual conversation with, and most people don't see the benefit in knowledge.

It's more isolating than anything else.

[Generic Box Of Cookies]

So I guess in that respect, being a dumbass can be beneficial.



Not throw in the towel as such, it's just that I've made threads in the past ragging on people who use "pretentious diction", so I'm not going to deny it when I start doing it myself.



Hmm, that's also a good point.

:(


Of course. It's people's God-Given right to be stupid and not have to take responsibility for the shit they do. Hooray politically correctness. The whole PC thing really is a wonderful ploy. It allows people to accept logical contradictions, relieves them of personal responsibility, and in general makes people more hassle-free to herd about.

Your humility is admirable, but under these circumstances, it wouldn't have been inappropriate to say something like, "Newfag trolling sack of shit gtfo".

[PooPfish]

I think more people strive to be intelligent, and learn how things work, than you think. I definitely agree that the majority of people are stupid. The way I see it, as long as you don't bother others, and you live a happy life, do whatever the fuck you want.

[Mantikore]

is anti intellectualism isnt rampant in a lot of the world.

not that it matters though. There will always be societies of intelligent people. Im a believer that knowledge is power. If the rest of the world shuns intelligence, then the intelligent people would rule.

a lot of society runs on people at the top and people at the bottom. we need people at the bottom

[v0x]

I'd say it's just the average common masses are getting stupider, but not in every way. I would explain my ideas on schooling and society here, but I don't feel like writing out a huge amount of my thoughts right now. I'd probably get flamed out of the thread too.

But yea, I think people were jealous of smart people first, then they hated them (because jealousy usually turns to hate), and eventually they forgot why they hated them, but they just figured that they always hated them, and if we've done it so far, why not continue? I don't really know, there's probably a ton of other theories why, but that one makes the most sense to me. Tbh, I'd rate myself very well in intelligence, and average in sports. Now about your case... Scholastic intelligence is but one factor of overall intellect. You might be horrible with math, but have you tried yourself at critical thinking, common sense, intrapersonal skills, or street smarts? You might find that you do very well in one of those areas. Your vocabulary seems to indicate a very smart person, IMO. And remember, practice makes perfect. I always hated foreign languages, but I just made flash cards and memorized that shit night after night, and now I'm pulling an A in it. But I digress (always wanted to say that), people have been persecuting groups that are outside the norm ever since life began. It may be xenophobia even more than jealousy, or perhaps a mixture of both. Who knows?

[000]

Why is that? It seems like people are only interested in things that they don't have to think about. Nobody wants to learn how their computer, car or TV works, they're only interested in using it. Nobody wants to put any sustained mental effort into anything, despite how rewarding and useful it could be to have that kind of knowledge handy...Not that they'd ever know, because they'd never try.

Totally true. I think we're reaching a point where most people use pieces of technology with so little idea of how it works that it might as well be magic to them.


Just take a look at religion. More than half of the world can be categorized into an abrahamic religion, be it Christianity, Judaism or Islam. That's nearly four billion people who, despite the countless logical flaws in their respective belief systems, would much rather go through life with self-imposed limitations such as abstaining from pre-marital sex and even making radical dietary restrictions, than dare to question their force-fed beliefs.

While I love religion-bashing as much as the next guy, you've gotta be a little careful. Many verrrry smart people (such as Newton) were very religious. In fact, the vast majority of Newton's works were theological.


Even with these arguments aside, if you want a perfect example of societys increasingly philistine attitudes, then look no further than highschool students. If you're a smart kid in highschool, you might as well be a leper. Participating in activities like math competitions or joining the school band will have you labeled as a "nerd" or "geek". On the other hand, if you're on one of the sports teams, even if your grades are pathetic and you can barely spell your own name, you'll be praised by your peers and teachers alike.

This isn't really that true...when I was in highschool, some of the most popular kids were the ones that you say would be considered losers. And on the flip side, everyone laughed at the dumb jocks, because they were stupid and funny to watch. No one gave a shit that they were on our god-awful highschool football or lacrosse team.

I think it's not about the actual activities, it's about the type of people who tend to do them. The typical math team kid is a socially awkward kid, whereas the typical quarterback is confident and ripped. But that doesn't mean you have to be, and it's actually a false correlation to assume that people don't like them because they're on the math team.


What I'm trying to say here is that people who are interested in intellectual pursuits are, in my opinion, far more worthy of our respect and admiration than the blissfully ignorant majority who almost compulsively gravitate towards the mundane and simplified route of existence.

Yes and no. You need to know that any amount of intelligence pales in comparison to things like happiness and human goodness. Some of the smartest people in the world have been the worst (Hitler) or the most unhappy (most geniuses, actually). I don't think there's any reason to live no matter how smart you are if you're just plain unhappy, or just feed off of and ruin the world. Ignorance is bliss, so to speak.

So these people you hate may not know how RAM works or know what Dijkstra's Algorithm is, but they may have a much better human connection than we do, or might be happier than we are.

[Blunderfail]

Shut the fuck up, Chichi. SHUT THE FUCK UP.

[DJ Meaty Cheeks]

Welcome to The Shit, aka reality.

[The Better Version]

I read a post yesterday that got me thinking.



He's right, what the fuck?

Society in general is just getting stupider, with more and more cultures adopting an anti-intellectual sentiment.

Why is that? It seems like people are only interested in things that they don't have to think about. Nobody wants to learn how their computer, car or TV works, they're only interested in using it. Nobody wants to put any sustained mental effort into anything, despite how rewarding and useful it could be to have that kind of knowledge handy...Not that they'd ever know, because they'd never try.

Just take a look at religion. More than half of the world can be categorized into an abrahamic religion, be it Christianity, Judaism or Islam. That's nearly four billion people who, despite the countless logical flaws in their respective belief systems, would much rather go through life with self-imposed limitations such as abstaining from pre-marital sex and even making radical dietary restrictions, than dare to question their force-fed beliefs.

Even with these arguments aside, if you want a perfect example of societys increasingly philistine attitudes, then look no further than highschool students. If you're a smart kid in highschool, you might as well be a leper. Participating in activities like math competitions or joining the school band will have you labeled as a "nerd" or "geek". On the other hand, if you're on one of the sports teams, even if your grades are pathetic and you can barely spell your own name, you'll be praised by your peers and teachers alike.

Personally I don't fit into either category. I fucking loathe sport, but at the same time I'm not intelligent by any means. (As intelligent as a fifteen year old can be without knowing basic timetables). Not that it matters. The point of this thread isn't to boast about how I'm smart and deserve recognition, because I'm not and I don't. Shit, I had to take medication just to keep my mind on track long enough to write up this thread.

What I'm trying to say here is that people who are interested in intellectual pursuits are, in my opinion, far more worthy of our respect and admiration than the blissfully ignorant majority who almost compulsively gravitate towards the mundane and simplified route of existence.

I'm sure this topic has been done to death, but I haven't ever heard an actual explanation as to why this anti-intellectual sentiment has become consensus.

So, thoughts?

Awww come on don't beat up on the guy who made the cum stain post. That's a terrible example because I think anyone would make that post if they really wanted to know that. A better example would be someone going into a computer store to get their computer fixed rather than fixing it themselves....but honestly I can see smart people doing that too.

I think society is naturally mixed with intelligent and less intelligent people. I don't think we are getting more stupid. I think your opinion is simply based off of the people you associate with. When I'm at my job I tend to hang around idiots who talk about nothing, but when I'm at school I tend to hang around pretty intelligent people who have a lot of interesting things to say. The difference is, because my job is a bottom of the barrel job you typically get idiots to work there where as at the university you generally see people who are probably going somewhere. But that's ok because the relationship between intelligent and less intelligent people is a symbiotic relationship.

We need the dumb people to work at my job so that someone can do the things we normally wouldn't do. However, we also need intelligent people to handle our economy, develop new and innovative technology and overall promote the progression of mankind. I don't know who you hang out with but they sound like pretty immature people because that kind of attitude toward intellect is immature and typically remains at the high school level. Even when I'm at my job the dumb people aren't mean and making fun of me for being smart. They're actually cool people but unfortunately they never talk about anything significant. They only hate the intelligent people who are full of themselves and see themselves at a higher level, which is understandable because even I hate those kind of people.

The point is, whether you're intelligent or not doesn't matter because we all need each other if we wish to survive. I would consider myself at least above average intelligence, yet I never look down at those people because they are a part of what makes life work, even if they don't contribute in the most meaningful fashion. Individually they are worthless but as a whole they are very profound. Plus there are a lot of them out there so if you place yourself at a higher standard then them, expect to live a lonely life.

[Cliche Guevara]

With regard to society taking on an anti-intellectual mindest, I was reading this book the other day (Zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance) and it said that people had two modes of understanding the universe. With a 'classical' understanding or a 'romantic' understanding.

a quote from page 73 of the book.

The romantic mode is primarily inspirational, imaginative, creative, intuitive. Feelings rather than facts predominate. "Art" when it is opposed to "Science" is often romantic. It does not proceed by reason or by laws... the classic mode in contrast proceeds by reason and by laws (which are themselves underlying forms of thought and behaviour)

pg 74
The classic style is straightforward, unadorned, unemotional, economical, and carefully proportioned. Its purpose is not to inspire emotionally, but to bring order out of chaos and make the unknown known...It's value is measured in terms of the skill with which this control is maintained.

He then goes on to say that "in recent times we have seen a huge split develop between a classic culture and a romantic counterculture and because there are two different ways of 'thinking' it leads to obvious feelings of "alienation and resentment"

To a romantic this classical mode often appears dull, awkward and ugly, like mechanical maintenance itself. Everything is in terms of pieces and parts and components and relationships...Everythings got to be measured and proved. Oppressive. Heavy. Endlessly grey. The death force.

While to the classics, the romantic mode is

frivolous, irrational, erratic, untrustworthy, interested primarily in pleasure-seeking. Shallow. Of no substance. Often a parasite who cannot or will not carry his own weight. A real drag on society. BY now these battle lines should sound a little familiar

Now obviously these are two extremes, but in general accurately captures society. He has some interesting things to say, Robert Pirsig. It make sense that there is attitude towards people who as you say are "intelligent" but the opposite is also true. You say they are "more worthy of respect". He goes on to say that with "two worlds growing alienated and hateful toward each other" it doesn't mean that they are more worthy or better.

He also goes on to say.

Unusual behaviour tends to produce estrangement in others which tends to further the unusual behaviour and thus the estrangement in self stoking cycles until some sort of climax is reached.

In short, we have seen a rift in society between a classic culture and a conflicting romantic counterculture. Which, is to be expected in a society with two greatly differing definitions of value.

[Haiti's Space Agency]

I don't participate in any sports(I used to) in my High School and I actually attended an academic competition for the past 3 years of high school and I am by no means treated as an outcast, loser, nerd, geek, whatever. Stop making excuses for yourself. You're just an anti-social faggot. Deal with it.

[The Better Version]

This is a good point. When I was a child smart people were looked down upon but I don't think I've ever met an adult who actually looked down upon someone with intellect. If anything they want to be like them. I mean even in my high school people regarded intellect very highly and in fact some of the most popular kids were incredibly smart. Intelligence equates to power and even dumb people know this. Society may talk about stupid shit but they certainly don't look down at smart people, at least the society that I live in.

[LiquidIce]

Cliche, I've just finished that book. It was good thought food.

I have to deal with many difficult people everyday so I see there are a few kinds of people:
- the people that think education and knowledge is a piece of paper from a university.
- the people that know little and don't know it and since their world is sooo limited - they think they know everything.
- the people that think that life is about other stuff than electrons, derivatives, uncertainty principle and other such stuff.

And I could go on and on.

I agree, there are some seedlings of a superiority complex, but it is kept in check by the thought that I know next to nothing and my virtue is learning. Also, I'd have no problems with less-knowledgeable people UNTIL they start shoving their shit down my throat - family members telling me ridiculous shit about my everyday habits (milk isn't healthy, you shouldn't drink cold liquids, hydrogen peroxide has healing powers, you should never marry a girl from the country...). FUCK! :mad: It is my life and my decisions and I firmly believe that a person who has some physics, maths and philosophy knowledge is MUCH better at making decisions than a person who has NO IDEA about that stuff (ie. TV, microwaves being basically 'magical' for them).

I'm on this ride to learn, but when I hear people spewing shit then I just get fucking mad :mad:. Don't dare tell me that you are "magickal" because your "aura of energy" is so fucking superior and YOUR will influences the world when I can provide arguments that will turn your life, your 'magickal' passions into bullshit and I don't do it just 'cause I don't wanna be mean.

[underOATH]

I do:confused:

Although I don't feel the high school example is really applicable anymore; at least, it wasn't in my school. But I've gotten word that it's not really the case like that anymore.

[MAYOR]

fpUScs0Z6lA

[Travis Bickle]

Stupid is in, smart is out, follow the sheep to the slaughterhouse.

[driveby]

Well, if society is getting stupider, the obvious solution is to slaughter everyone who's IQ is below 110, and distribute the wealth among the less fortunate, and man-made government addictive poison addicts.

[driveby]

Stupid is in, smart is out, follow the sheep to the slaughterhouse.

Yeah, it's hillarious. The people working at the library I post from read my posts, and they shift from following what I write, to following anyone who is dominant, due to passing insults.

People, especially in suburban areas are incapeable of thinking for themselves.

The library people are sort of slightly alright though, at least now, so far.

[Cock-Overdose]

They interview some total faggots (Micheal Moore, for example) but this is a good watch.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3551422786825163764

[reallystupidstuff]

Yes, as I stated.

But you're right, I am starting to sound pedantic and pretentious. I'll be more careful not to be a douche from now on. :thumbsup:

Pendantic? Pretentious? Who are you and what have you done with chichi?

[AsylumSeaker]

On the bright side, the stupider everyone else is the more successful you can be as an intelligent individual.

[samguy700]

[QUOTE=Chichi;450387]

He's right, what the fuck?

Society in general is just getting stupider, with more and more cultures adopting an anti-intellectual sentiment.

[Cock-Overdose]

On the bright side, the stupider everyone else is the more successful you can be as an intelligent individual.

Yeah, but what sort of world are we creating for our kids?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idiocracy

[LiquidIce]

Yeah, but what sort of world are we creating for our kids?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idiocracy
Whoa, gotta download that movie, seems fun.

Maybe we could blame people for instilling the thought that knowledge=/=life knowledge? So many people bitch and moan that something won't come handy in their life while not thinking that it makes up the foundations of a world view - you don't actually use it in everyday life BUT it shifts your perspective of life.

Then we have pseudo-medicine, religion and sects that profit gazillions from the dumbed down population.

[Death_Merchant]

Cliche, I've just finished that book. It was good thought food.

I have to deal with many difficult people everyday so I see there are a few kinds of people:
- the people that think education and knowledge is a piece of paper from a university.
- the people that know little and don't know it and since their world is sooo limited - they think they know everything.
- the people that think that life is about other stuff than electrons, derivatives, uncertainty principle and other such stuff.

And I could go on and on.

I agree, there are some seedlings of a superiority complex, but it is kept in check by the thought that I know next to nothing and my virtue is learning. Also, I'd have no problems with less-knowledgeable people UNTIL they start shoving their shit down my throat - family members telling me ridiculous shit about my everyday habits (milk isn't healthy, you shouldn't drink cold liquids, hydrogen peroxide has healing powers, you should never marry a girl from the country...). FUCK! :mad: It is my life and my decisions and I firmly believe that a person who has some physics, maths and philosophy knowledge is MUCH better at making decisions than a person who has NO IDEA about that stuff (ie. TV, microwaves being basically 'magical' for them).

I'm on this ride to learn, but when I hear people spewing shit then I just get fucking mad :mad:. Don't dare tell me that you are "magickal" because your "aura of energy" is so fucking superior and YOUR will influences the world when I can provide arguments that will turn your life, your 'magickal' passions into bullshit and I don't do it just 'cause I don't wanna be mean.

Intelligence and knowledge are two separate things. Intelligence is your capacity to learn or understand. Knowledge is what you've learned or understand. Even though I don't know a whole lot about economics, I'm a genius at correlating data mentally to predict world events. Hell, I was helping my dad plan his business strategy for the economic meltdown 3 years ago. All that knowledge that people with economic degrees have was useless, cause I was able to figure something out they couldn't, despite lack of knowledge. People don't like people like me for the simple fact that I can figure out things that aren't supposed to be possible to figure out. Basically, I can look at the world and see all the mechanism of it's function with perfect transparency. I have an advantage that can't be learned, and not everyone is happy for you when you do.

My genius has a serious downside though. I can read people too. I can actually predict with about 99% accuracy, exactly how another person's thought processes work. You'd think this would be good, but sometimes it would be nice to be oblivious to what others are thinking. When I was a child, I used it to manipulate people to get what I wanted. Then when I got older and started to excel scholastically. I could see the contempt in other people's eyes due to jealousy of my various talents and successes. Most people will hold their tongue, but their body language says more than they could anyways. It's pretty hard not to be hurt by this, when you know how people really feel about you. Eventually though, I learned use this skill to effectively communicate to people better. So if it seems like I'm being an ass on here, it's quite purposeful.

I don't really care if people don't like the fact that this post sounds like I'm tooting my own horn. I've been dealing with being able to read people my whole life, so I'm used to reading the emotions and irritation in posts here. I'm not her to kiss your boo-boos better, so say what you like. I'm pretty hardened as you can imagine, since I can always tell a person's true feelings anyways.

LiquidIce, don't bother with the humble, "but it is kept in check by the thought that I know next to nothing and my virtue is learning." How about you don't bullshit a bullshitter. I can tell by the way you write that you do think you're better than these people. How could you not? These types are fucking retards, and they're annoying as shit to have to tiptoe around their pride as to not have to hear their spiel about whatever, if you upset their reality. Really, you shouldn't have to be worried how other people see you when you tell them about how you see shit. Especially here, since it's not a productive discussion if we don't speak our minds out of fear of recourse. I come here cause I don't give a fuck if I piss people off here. Trust me, being someone who sees people for who they are, nobody should be judging. Really, you can't call someone arrogant, narcissistic, self-promoting, unless you have enough pride in yourself to be self-righteous enough to do so, which makes you a hypocrite if you do so. I don't worry about others opinions, cause we're all the same when it comes to things. Everyone is a bit self-centered, arrogant, narcissistic, etc. These things don't make you a bad person anyways, only upsetting to people with lower self-worth and confidence in themselves. It's funny how people hate the things in others that they've been taught to hate in themselves.

[LiquidIce]

Well, I said that because when my crazy grandmother demonstrated that she has magickal powers by putting a spoon right under her neck (and it "magickally" stuck there) I quickly calculated the static friction coefficient and came up that the coefficient was larger than 1, meaning that her skin was actually sticky. Eeeewwww.

Really, I do try to learn and I think I still know too little. I know that I'm more scientific minded than many people because I don't see my education as a paper granting me a job, but as something that is genuinely interesting. And the only thing that really, really bothers me is what I wrote in the previous post - that a person with wholly different outlook on life than me, with almost no knowledge and not enough intelligence to encompass the falsity of most of alternative medicine, is trying to make decisions for me and is mad at me for not listening.

Also, I hate hypocrisy and arrogance and that is why I refrain from it whenever I can. I hate when people try to pressure me into doing something so I don't pressure other people unless I absolutely have to.

On the other hand, I believe that many people on these boards, except the trolls, are more intelligent than your average joe because the interests of these people brought them here in the first place - just look at all the people discussing stuff in metaphysics, here, der politic and some other cool sub-boards.

[Cock-Overdose]

On the other hand, I believe that many people on these boards, except the trolls, are more intelligent than your average joe

And on even yet another hand, it can be argued that the trolls are the smartest of all, or at least some of them. It takes a lot of wit and cunning to pull it off well. Y'know, finding that balance between infuriating and banned? :D

[LiquidIce]

And on even yet another hand, it can be argued that the trolls are the smartest of all, or at least some of them. It takes a lot of wit and cunning to pull it off well. Y'know, finding that balance between infuriating and banned? :D

Well, some trolls are truly intelligent, they just don't show it :p. But as it was with totse, zoklet houses smart people from so many areas that sometimes it's just plain refreshing to see so many new and different perspectives on stuff.

[zTi]

You described what I've been noticing about my self these past few month OP. Theres a lot of things I could have/been thinking about improving..skill(?)wise. Too many options, I'm supposed to have a nice capacity for the learnin' but I'm too chicken shit to pick any one thing to be good at.

[Rizzo in a box]

Genius is great but the only thing that counts for anything is action.

And yeah, the masses are asses. What's new?

[Death_Merchant]

You described what I've been noticing about my self these past few month OP. Theres a lot of things I could have/been thinking about improving..skill(?)wise. Too many options, I'm supposed to have a nice capacity for the learnin' but I'm too chicken shit to pick any one thing to be good at.

Learn whatever you think may be helpful to living a life that you want.

[Allen]

It seems to me that people that develop their intelligence do it in spite of our educational system and society, not because of it. When our schools only worry about making Annual Yearly Progress with their state-mandated test scores, something's wrong. When our society laughs happily and condones ignorance, even glorifies it, something's wrong.


allen

[Death_Merchant]

It seems to me that people that develop their intelligence do it in spite of our educational system and society, not because of it. When our schools only worry about making Annual Yearly Progress with their state-mandated test scores, something's wrong. When our society laughs happily and condones ignorance, even glorifies it, something's wrong.


allen

Speaking from experience, I wish I could have been like the majority. They're happy. All they know is what is on TV, which music they like, that they get money for going to work, and that they don't really care much as long as they get their new Iphone. Being a very smart person, I can honestly say I wish I could be ignorant and ignore true reality, and immerse myself fully in the manufactured reality that the majority believe. I wish all that went through my head was who was going to get voted off American Idol or Survivor next. Or where I'm going to get drunk this weekend. Must be nice to be so thoughtless. I guess they struggle in other areas where I wouldn't though, so I guess it's a trade off.

[Code Of Silence]

Society isn't getting stupider you pretentious fuck. You just ignore the intelligent people and focus on the stupids so that you feel superior to them. And thanks to my good friend the Superiority Complex, you assume you're better than everyone in society.

This post is on point. Suppose the OP is taking into account intelligent people, have the masses ever been any brighter? In fact, the majority of the population has never really done anything that requires high brain power during their time off from earning their slave wages - anyway.

[LiquidIce]

Having a few good philosophers while the entire world population could be counted in hundred thousands or millions meant that the ratio was totally different than having a few billion ignorant and/or uneducated compared to a few thousand scientists.

Also, Death Merchant has a good point: ignorance is glorified. Discussion isn't about rhetoric or eristics (sp?) anymore it's 'bout dissin' them cracka heads n' throwin' shit on their yooo mommaz dawg!

[pickletacofan]

the problem with society is it just seems that more people these days are making subjective opinions as opposed to objective ones.This article http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/16/business/worldbusiness/16books.html is a short objective answer to OP's topic. If book sales are up in certain countries society cannot possibly be shifting to an "anti intellectual movement". Regardless of what books are being bought, any book is going to slightly improve your vocabulary--which is an aspect of intellectualism.

topics like religion, politics, economics, are all being shifted by the media to subjective thoughts. When was the last time you heard a guy on CNN talking about the IS/LM curve in our country? Can anyone even recall one objective thought as to why Obama would make a shitty president? I can't.

If you want my opinion, I think society looks down on those with objective analysis. No one likes the person who randomly drops statistics or cites something that will fly over the head of others. The contrary answer to a person dropping a stat is "76.7% of statistics are made up on the spot" when in reality they can't even prove the statistic mentioned is incorrect.

I think it also has to do with our society forcing people to be very dogmatic with their thoughts, but thats another issue.

[blue_monday]

fifteen year old

lulz. like you've been around long enough to know how the world works.

[Ezratal]

I don't think that people are getting 'stupider', necessarily. I think that more and more people are being drawn away from 'intellectual' occupations because of the boom of the business and technology fields. People have been writing about things like the decline of the liberal intellectual for years... Perhaps there's a sort of trickle-down intellectual activity effect, where when you get indoctrination in the schools and intelligent people being moved from intellectual occupations to technical or otherwise more profitable occupations, there's sort of a decrease in intellectualism at every level.

[Dumpster Slut]

There are still plenty of smart people out there. Seperate yourself from the pack of retards and continue to expand your knowledge. :D