American Anti-Intellectualism

In Human Form - Psychology
16 Jan 202218:37

Summary

TLDRThis video delves into the resurgence of anti-intellectualism in American culture, exploring its roots in historical and religious beliefs that have shaped societal structures. It examines the impact of this mindset on politics, economics, and social issues, highlighting how it's used by powerful entities to manipulate public opinion and maintain control. The script challenges viewers to recognize and counteract anti-intellectualism in their own lives, promoting critical thinking and open dialogue.

Takeaways

  • 😷 The script discusses the emergence of disagreements over social issues, particularly the use of masks during the pandemic, as a catalyst for highlighting anti-intellectualism.
  • πŸ“š Anti-intellectualism is defined as the denigration of science-based facts and the pursuit of knowledge, a concept explored in Richard Hofstetter's 1963 book.
  • πŸ€” Epistemology, the study of knowledge and truth, has been debated for centuries, but recent events have brought these discussions to the forefront of society.
  • πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ Anti-intellectualism in American culture is linked to historical events like the McCarthy era and the Protestant evangelical beliefs of early European colonists.
  • 🧐 Daniel Rigney expanded on Hofstetter's theory by identifying three types of anti-intellectualism: unreflective instrumentalism, religious anti-rationalism, and populist anti-elitism.
  • πŸ› οΈ Unreflective instrumentalism is the belief that knowledge is only valuable if it has practical applications, often dismissing intellectual pursuits as impractical.
  • β›ͺ️ Religious anti-rationalism involves rejecting reason and logic in favor of decisions based on gut feelings, morals, or religious beliefs, such as the modern creationist movement.
  • 🌍 Populist anti-elitism is the rejection of elite institutions and individuals, often seen in the belittlement of experts and the promotion of 'common sense' over expert knowledge.
  • 🧠 Hofstetter distinguishes between intelligence, which applies ideas practically, and intellect, which challenges and evolves ideas, suggesting that anti-intellectualism stifles intellectual growth.
  • πŸ›οΈ The script points out that anti-intellectualism has been used by powerful entities like politicians and corporations to maintain control and manipulate public opinion.
  • 🌳 The corporate exploitation of anti-intellectualism is exemplified by the tobacco industry and, more recently, by those denying climate change for profit.
  • πŸ›‘ To combat anti-intellectualism, one should recognize it in oneself, be critical of information sources, understand logical fallacies, and engage in challenging conversations.

Q & A

  • What is anti-intellectualism?

    -Anti-intellectualism can be described as the systematic denigration of science-based facts and the pursuit of theory and knowledge.

  • When was the book 'Anti-Intellectualism in American Life' by Richard Hofstetter published?

    -Richard Hofstetter's book 'Anti-Intellectualism in American Life' was published in 1963.

  • How does Daniel Rigney's theory expand on Hofstetter's views on anti-intellectualism?

    -Daniel Rigney expanded Hofstetter's theory by distinguishing three ways in which anti-intellectualism appears: unreflective instrumentalism, religious anti-rationalism, and populist anti-elitism.

  • What is unreflective instrumentalism in the context of anti-intellectualism?

    -Unreflective instrumentalism is a belief that the pursuit of theory and knowledge is unnecessary unless it can be wielded for practical means.

  • Can you provide an example of religious anti-rationalism as discussed in the script?

    -Religious anti-rationalism is characterized by someone who rejects reason, logic, and facts in favor of reactive decision-making based on gut feelings, morals, or religious absolutes. An example is the modern creationist movement which denies evidence of evolution.

  • What is populist anti-elitism and how does it manifest?

    -Populist anti-elitism is the rejection of elite institutions and those categorized within the social or intellectual elite. It can manifest as belittling college professors or discrediting scientists and researchers without reason.

  • How does anti-intellectualism serve as a weapon for those in power?

    -Anti-intellectualism is used as a weapon to keep an iron grip on the ideas and systems that protect groups or individuals with power and privilege.

  • What role did the founding fathers play in shaping American culture's view on intellectuals?

    -The founding fathers, influenced by Puritan and Protestant evangelical beliefs, embraced the masculine ideal of the rugged self-made man, which did not require education, contrasting with the perceived effeminate and powerless intellectuals.

  • How has anti-intellectualism been used in modern politics in the United States?

    -Politicians have used anti-intellectualism as a psychological tool to charm certain demographics into voting for a candidate or policy, creating a division in the minds of the population.

  • What is the role of corporations in perpetuating anti-intellectualism?

    -Corporations exploit a poorly informed and distracted population for profit, using anti-intellectual tactics to discredit science, scientists, and logic, as seen in the denial of climate change and the promotion of disinformation by certain industries.

  • How can one combat anti-intellectualism in their own life?

    -To combat anti-intellectualism, one should be critical of information sources, identify logical fallacies, practice compassion and understanding towards others' perspectives, and be willing to have challenging conversations.

Outlines

00:00

😷 The Rise of Anti-Intellectualism Amidst Pandemic Discourse

This paragraph introduces the video's theme, exploring the resurgence of anti-intellectualism in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. It discusses the social divisions caused by differing opinions on issues like mask-wearing and the 'Black Lives Matter' movement. The script delves into the historical roots of anti-intellectualism, referencing Richard Hofstetter's work, and outlines the video's aim to examine the consequences of this mindset in American culture. The paragraph also introduces the concept of epistemology and its relevance to current debates.

05:01

πŸ›οΈ Historical Foundations of American Anti-Intellectualism

The second paragraph delves into the historical underpinnings of anti-intellectualism in America, tracing it back to the Puritan beliefs of early European colonists. It highlights how these beliefs shaped the American ethos, with a particular focus on the self-made man ideal, which contrasted with the perceived effeminacy and powerlessness of intellectuals. The paragraph also discusses the impact of religious enthusiasm on anti-intellectualism and how it manifested in various societal shifts, including the efficiency movement and the culture wars of the 1960s.

10:02

πŸŒͺ️ The Spread and Manipulation of Anti-Intellectualism by Power Structures

This paragraph examines how anti-intellectualism is exploited by those in power, such as politicians and corporations, to maintain control over society. It discusses the tactics used by these entities to charm certain demographics and create divisions among the population. The script also addresses the Trump administration's response to the coronavirus pandemic as a modern example of politically driven anti-intellectualism, and how corporations use anti-intellectual narratives to protect their interests, such as in the case of climate change denial.

15:02

πŸ›‘οΈ Combating Anti-Intellectualism: Strategies for Critical Thinking

The final paragraph offers strategies for individuals to counter anti-intellectualism in their own lives. It emphasizes the importance of critical thinking, identifying logical fallacies, and recognizing willful ignorance in arguments. The script suggests that understanding and acknowledging one's own limitations and being open to challenging conversations are key to overcoming anti-intellectual tendencies. It concludes by encouraging viewers to stay open-minded when encountering anti-intellectualism and to explore further by watching related videos.

Mindmap

Keywords

πŸ’‘Anti-intellectualism

Anti-intellectualism is the systematic denigration of science-based facts and the pursuit of theory and knowledge. It is a central theme of the video, illustrating how this bias has been a historical and cultural force in American society, shaping attitudes and behaviors in various domains such as politics, religion, and business. The script discusses its manifestations, such as unreflective instrumentalism, religious anti-rationalism, and populist anti-elitism, and how it has been used as a tool by politicians and corporations to manipulate public opinion and maintain power.

πŸ’‘Epistemology

Epistemology is the study of knowledge, truth, and its limits. It is mentioned in the script as a subject that has been debated since ancient times, and which has become particularly relevant in the context of the video's discussion on the disagreements and uncertainties that have arisen during the pandemic. The script suggests that the current era has brought new challenges to epistemological discussions, as people grapple with the tension between expert knowledge and lay beliefs.

πŸ’‘Social Dilemma

A social dilemma, as discussed in the script, is a situation where the reward structure favors individuals who act selfishly over those who act in ways that benefit the larger social collective. This concept is used to describe the behavior of corporations that prioritize profit over public safety, such as in the case of climate change denial, despite the overwhelming scientific evidence supporting the need for action.

πŸ’‘Logical Fallacies

Logical fallacies are errors in reasoning that undermine the validity of arguments. The script identifies these as common tools in anti-intellectual arguments, used to distract or delegitimize discussions on relevant grounds. Examples given include 'what aboutism,' which deflects from the main issue by raising a different problem, and 'willful ignorance,' where individuals avoid acknowledging evidence that contradicts their beliefs.

πŸ’‘Willful Ignorance

Willful ignorance refers to the deliberate avoidance of acknowledging evidence that would undermine or invalidate one's perspective. In the script, it is presented as a form of anti-intellectualism where individuals choose to ignore information that challenges their beliefs, often based on values, intuition, emotions, or anecdotal evidence, rather than engaging with the evidence in a rational manner.

πŸ’‘Instrumentalism

Instrumentalism, in the context of the script, is the belief that the pursuit of theory and knowledge is unnecessary unless it can be used for practical means. It is one of the forms of anti-intellectualism identified by sociologist Daniel Rigney, and the script uses it to illustrate how some individuals dismiss intellectual pursuits as a waste of time in favor of immediate, practical gains.

πŸ’‘Anti-Rationalism

Anti-rationalism is characterized by the rejection of reason, logic, and facts in favor of decisions based on gut feelings, morals, or religious absolutes. The script cites the modern creationist movement, which denies evidence of evolution, as an example of religious anti-rationalism, showing how this form of anti-intellectualism can lead to the dismissal of scientific evidence.

πŸ’‘Populist Anti-Elitism

Populist anti-elitism is the rejection of elite institutions and individuals categorized within the social or intellectual elite. The script discusses this as a form of anti-intellectualism where individuals belittle the expertise of professionals such as college professors or discredit the work of scientists and researchers without substantial reason, often as a means to assert the superiority of 'common sense' over expert knowledge.

πŸ’‘Intellectualism

Intellectualism, as contrasted with anti-intellectualism in the script, is the pursuit of developing, challenging, and evolving ideas. It is associated with the use of reason and critical thinking to understand and interpret the world, as opposed to relying solely on traditional wisdom or unexamined beliefs. The script suggests that intellectualism is essential for progress and the advancement of knowledge.

πŸ’‘Confirmation Bias

Confirmation bias is a psychological phenomenon where individuals tend to favor information that confirms their preexisting beliefs or values. The script discusses how this bias can lead to an anti-intellectual mindset, as people may selectively seek out and interpret information in a way that reinforces their views, rather than critically evaluating all available evidence.

Highlights

The pandemic has sparked disagreements over social issues, including the contentious topic of mask-wearing.

Epistemology, the study of knowledge and truth, has been debated since ancient times but has become particularly relevant in the modern era.

Anti-intellectualism is the denigration of science-based facts and the pursuit of knowledge, a concept first explored by Richard Hofstetter in 1963.

Anti-intellectualism manifests differently and can be seen in business, politics, religion, and education.

Daniel Rigney expanded on Hofstetter's theory by identifying three types of anti-intellectualism: unreflective instrumentalism, religious anti-rationalism, and populist anti-elitism.

Unreflective instrumentalism is the belief that knowledge pursuit is unnecessary unless it serves practical means.

Religious anti-rationalism is characterized by the rejection of reason and facts in favor of gut feelings, morals, or religious absolutes.

Populist anti-elitism involves the rejection of elite institutions and individuals categorized within the social or intellectual elite.

Anti-intellectualism is used to maintain power and privilege by controlling ideas and systems, often through misinformation.

Politicians and corporations exploit anti-intellectualism to manipulate public opinion and maintain control.

The historical roots of anti-intellectualism in America can be traced back to Puritan and Protestant evangelical beliefs.

The founding fathers were influenced by these beliefs, promoting the ideal of the self-made man over the educated intellectual.

The establishment of prestigious universities like Harvard and Yale intensified distrust in intellect among the working class.

Religious enthusiasm in the 1800s led to a shift away from institutional authority and weakened the role of the intellectual minister.

The efficiency movement in the early 1900s highlighted the divide between expert intellectuals and common labor, contributing to the culture war of the 1960s.

Anti-intellectualism can be a symptom of ineffective information processing strategies, such as confirmation bias and social pressure.

To counter anti-intellectualism, one should identify logical fallacies, understand the emotions behind reasoning, and be open to challenging conversations.

Transcripts

play00:00

since the beginning of the pandemic i've

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heard countless conversations about many

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different social issues that impact

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every one of us some more trivial than

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others but one topic has emerged that

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has caused many disagreements among

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people who in the past may have never

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disagreed with one another before do you

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harass your clients

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when when they're at your restaurant to

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put on mass sir do you harass them all

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lives matter my life matters would they

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want me to drop dead wearing a goddamn

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mask

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epistemology the study of knowledge

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truth and its limits has been a debated

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subject since ancient times but in

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present day it's almost as if we've

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never had to have these conversations

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until now

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this is a problem because suddenly

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overnight we've become acutely aware of

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the uncertainty that we face and despite

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this reality no one seems to be able to

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agree on anything

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in this video we're going to take a look

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at the consequences of

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anti-intellectualism in american culture

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and why this type of thinking occurs

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hello everyone i'm in human form if you

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enjoy videos about social psychology and

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want to help support a smaller youtube

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channel be sure to hit subscribe and

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like this video now let's get started

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anti-intellectualism can be described as

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the systematic denigration of

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science-based facts and the pursuit of

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theory and knowledge

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the foundation of this bias was first

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explored in american historian richard

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hofstetter's seminal book

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anti-intellectualism in american life

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published in 1963

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the 1950s witch-hunts against

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intellectuals and artists during the

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mccarthy era left a strong impression on

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hofstetter's thinking his and other

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studies into anti-intellectualism

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provide insight into how the concept has

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intertwined itself with american culture

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the concept is difficult to define in a

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concrete manner because it manifests

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itself in different ways depending on

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the circumstances a handful of which are

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explored in this video

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one of the more common ways this appears

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in our lives is when someone dismisses

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intellectual interests as a waste of

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time while claiming that conventional

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wisdom is a superior method of thought

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it can be seen everywhere in business

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politics religion

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education and deceptively within the way

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we think

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despite the fact that it's often

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associated with america's current

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ideological right and religious

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followers progressives and liberals have

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also wielded anti-intellectualism to

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protect their own political power as

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well we'll take a deeper look into these

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modern examples a little later in this

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video

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in 1991 sociologist daniel rigney

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expanded richard hofstadter's theory by

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distinguishing the three ways in which

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anti-intellectualism appears i'm going

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to try and explain these with examples

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that apply to the 2020s to provide a

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clearer image of what this looks like

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the first type is unreflective

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instrumentalism meaning a belief that

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the pursuit of theory and knowledge is

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unnecessary unless it can be wielded for

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practical means this is kind of like

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when you ask your friend who's obsessive

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about hustling and grinding on uber if

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he or she has thought about studying

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economics and they respond with nah bro

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that's bookworm

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i'm here to make money

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followed by religious anti-rationalism

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which is characterized as someone who

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rejects reason logic and facts in favor

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of reactive decision-making based on gut

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feelings morals or religious absolutes

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the modern creationist movement which

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denies evidence of evolution would be an

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example of this type and finally

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populist anti-elitism which is the

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rejection of elite institutions as well

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as those categorized within the social

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or intellectual elite for instance

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someone who belittles college professors

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or discredits scientists and researchers

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without any reason to

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hofstetter describes intelligence as

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utilizing ideas in a practical way while

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intellect is about developing

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challenging and evolving the ideas

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themselves

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because of this anti-intellectual

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thought is used as a weapon to keep an

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iron grip on the ideas and systems that

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protect groups or individuals with power

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and privilege this can appear in the

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form of misinformation which gives the

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illusion that it's providing alternative

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information that is being kept from the

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viewer when in reality by perpetuating

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incorrect information it benefits the

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people in power the conservative youtube

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channel prageru falls under this

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description but when i hear somebody

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somberly in tone science says or follow

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the science i get very nervous these

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anti-intellectual tactics are more

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frequently observed within dominant

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ideologies in the us but they can appear

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in any group identity or ideology and to

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limit this complicated concept to one

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demographic would be an

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oversimplification as we will see

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hofstadter points out that although its

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form may change from one circumstance to

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another

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anti-intellectualism is fundamentally

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american when european colonists first

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arrived onto the shores of north america

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they brought with them puritan and

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protestant evangelical beliefs which

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have been a force in shaping american

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culture to this day the founding fathers

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were greatly influenced by these beliefs

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and exerted this influence onto their

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ideals of freedom in what they called

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the new world

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benjamin franklin and george washington

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embraced the masculine ideal of the

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rugged self-made man that could come to

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america with nothing and through hard

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work and some backbone could become a

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wealthy industrialist no education was

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necessary for this ideal man for he was

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self-made by contrast to educated

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intellectuals which were considered as

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effeminate and powerless

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intellectuals were considered to lack

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faith

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vigor and moral virtue all of which to

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the anti-intellectual was considered an

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essential part of religion and business

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ownership

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even thomas jefferson was mocked for his

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intellect by federalist leaders claiming

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that he was unfit for presidential and

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military duties upon election

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the english puritans that colonized new

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england had a deep scholarly tradition

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a tradition that led to the founding of

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ivy league schools like harvard and yale

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who were still considered prestigious

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universities to this day

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but the establishment of universities

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intensified suspicions and distrust in

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intellect as working-class individuals

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and intellectuals were driven further

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apart

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the sentiment among some was that

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scholars hid behind books and ivory

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towers and didn't produce anything

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useful for society

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at a certain point in the 1800s there

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was a dramatic shift towards religious

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enthusiasm which divided certain

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religious groups

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religious faith became more

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individualistic and no longer bound to

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institutional authority and with this

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the puritan ideal of the minister as an

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intellectual and educational leader was

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steadily weakened

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anti-education and anti-elite rhetoric

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was emerging in many institutionalized

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evangelical settings across the country

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dwight moody an american evangelist

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during this time was famously quoted

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saying i do not read any book unless it

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will help me understand the bible

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this was the first major success of

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anti-intellectualism in the united

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states and would proliferate religious

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anti-rationalism in various religious

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groups over the course of the next 200

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years

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mobility of the population education and

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the development of radical ideas made it

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increasingly difficult for religious

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fundamentalists to remain separate from

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secular academic thought in the 20th

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century

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provided that secular intellectualism

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remained associated with elites

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fundamentalists could either look the

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other way or take advantage of it by

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making it the target of a militant

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sermon

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but the gap separating religiosity and

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academic belief was closing and many

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individuals were seeing religion as less

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desirable

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the efficiency movement in the early

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1900s sparked changes in the government

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and the economy to cut down on

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inefficiency and waste

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this would be done by appointing experts

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who could identify problems and wasteful

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standards in various domains and solve

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them

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although the practice was necessary and

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beneficial to all it reinforced

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differences between expert intellectual

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types and the common labor

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by the 1960s this divide between

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intellectual thinking and conventional

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wisdom had evolved into a culture war

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that would appear in many forms with

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anti-intellectuals opposing new

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developments in society the civil rights

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movement women's liberation and anti-war

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sentiment were all rejected and

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trivialized by anti-intellectual types

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who criticized the ideas as being

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antithetical to american patriotism a

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narrow-minded and intolerant belief that

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remains widely held today as you will

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see in our next section

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an anti-intellectual mindset can occur

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as a symptom of otherwise ineffective

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strategies people use to process

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information when a person is presented

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complex information at a high volume

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their thinking will fall back on rules

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of thumb called heuristics to make

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decisions for example people tend to pay

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close attention to information that is

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familiar to them and unopposed to what

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they already know psychologists call

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this phenomenon confirmation bias it is

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shockingly difficult to overcome

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social pressure and the desire to get

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along with members of a group can also

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impact their decision making

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social pressure in combination with fear

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is an especially potent factor in

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distorting a person's ability to process

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information and make the right decisions

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when someone who understands these

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biases takes advantage of them we can

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see how anti-intellectual thought can

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spread at an incredible rate in this

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section we will look at how power takes

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advantage of anti-intellectual belief

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if we ignore that science and sort of

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put our head in the sand and think it's

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all about vegetation management we're

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not going to succeed together protecting

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californians okay it'll start getting

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cooler

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you just watch i wish science agreed

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with you

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hey well i don't think science knows

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actually

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america has had a long relationship with

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anti-intellectualism ingrained deep

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within its core beliefs and principles

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these old systems of belief are what has

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shaped the societal structures we live

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in today the politicians massive

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corporations and religious institutions

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that dominate so many aspects of our

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lives benefit from this the most

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anti-intellectualism is the weapon of

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choice when they seek to tighten their

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grip around the neck of society

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politicians have realized that

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anti-intellectualism

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is very successful in charming certain

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demographics into voting for a candidate

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or policy this manipulative

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psychological tactic was popularized by

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dwight eisenhower during his

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presidential campaign when he described

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intellectuals as quote men who take more

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words than necessary to tell more than

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they know he was quick to criticize

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intellectuals as failed businessmen

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despite the fact that he himself had

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previously served as president of

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columbia university and his father was a

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college educated engineer this was all a

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careful performance to persuade the

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common person by reinforcing the

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perceived threat of a supposed

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intellectual class

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creating a division in the minds of the

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population no different than the

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propaganda tactics used by totalitarian

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governments in soviet russia and germany

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in the 20th century

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certainly this was not the first time a

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politician voiced anti-intellectual

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sentiments but from then on is how

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american right-wing politicians would

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communicate with their conservative

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followers every republican candidate's

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campaign from nixon to trump would

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follow the narrative of the strong

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leader who is characterized by

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conventional wisdom that need not rely

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on experts or stuffy academics

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george w bush often posed as a rugged

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cowboy for photo ops to come across as

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some sort of hyper real political john

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wayne figure ready to lasso up some oil

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from the middle east he didn't need no

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scientists telling him what to do but

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more recently the consequences of

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politically driven anti-intellectual

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thought can be seen with the trump

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administration's response to the

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coronavirus pandemic the administration

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repeatedly undermined government

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scientists suggestions in dealing with

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the pandemic leading to a new wave of

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anti-elitism in america

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democratic presidents are also guilty of

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using anti-intellectualism as a

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political tool for their benefit

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president lyndon b johnson also engaged

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in anti-intellectual posturing of this

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sort he would make mention of his

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working-class upbringing in rural

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central texas and in the same breath

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claimed that intellectuals are quote

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more interested in the superficial than

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they are with the things that have

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really built america this manner in

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which politicians speak seems completely

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normal to us repeatedly using

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patronizing language such as folks or

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regular people referring to rural

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populations has a real effect on that

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demographic self-image and perceived

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sense of control over their own

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communities they then believe that their

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only hope is to be subservient to the

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politicians that supposedly represent

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them

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this occurrence which started as a valid

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criticism of wealthy elites has become a

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powerful political tool used to

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politicize fundamentally non-partisan

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issues

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but many of you may consider our next

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example as far more nefarious than the

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divisive behavior of politicians when it

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comes to using anti-intellectualism to

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unethically protect their own interests

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and profit there is no better example

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than the corporate sector of america the

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american mode of capitalism has always

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been predicated on exploitation

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corporations continue to exploit a

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population of consumers that have fallen

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victim to being poorly informed and

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distracted the most destructive example

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of this is the ongoing denial and

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reluctance of corporations and

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government officials backed by those

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corporations to make any significant

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changes in economic policy in order to

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mitigate the effects of climate change

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despite the reality that those changes

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would benefit the economy this is

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accomplished by the use of

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anti-rationalist narratives that

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minimize the seriousness of climate

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change or by rejecting its existence in

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entirety ignoring the overwhelming

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amount of scientific evidence supporting

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the matter sponsored by the largest

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privately owned coal company in america

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the murray energy corporation the rocky

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mountain coal mining institute have

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peddled disinformation claiming coal is

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more affordable than clean energy a

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statement that has been proven to be

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untrue by multiple independent studies

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social psychologists have theorized this

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inclination to seek out profit over

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public safety as an example of what is

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called a social dilemma which can be

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defined as a situation that has a reward

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structure that favors individuals who

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act selfishly rather than in ways that

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benefit the larger social collective

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these corporate tactics of

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anti-intellectualism are not new to

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american culture and were employed for

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decades by the tobacco industry

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corporations will discredit science

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scientists and logic in order to

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generate wealth for investors and

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corporate executives at the expense of

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the population and the biophysical

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environment's health

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we can see that this is how structures

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of power use anti-intellectualism to

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their benefit but how do you counter

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anti-intellectualism in your own life

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i'm sure at one point or another you've

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been in conversation with a friend or a

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family member about some issue that you

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just disagreed on completely and you

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knew deep in your heart that you

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understood the truth because you watched

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a contra points or vsauce video on the

play15:59

topic two months ago but they still

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wouldn't agree or get it what do you do

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in this situation

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well first things first don't take

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advice from anyone on youtube seriously

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be extremely critical of anything on

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here

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second thing would be to identify

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logical fallacies that regularly appear

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in anti-intellectual arguments

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fallacies that appear in the faulty

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reasoning of anti-intellectualism

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are used to distract or delegitimize

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arguments on irrelevant grounds here are

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a few examples what aboutism is defined

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as the technique or practice of

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responding to an accusation or difficult

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question by making a counter accusation

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or raising a different issue this tactic

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is regularly used to defend the status

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quo and avoid change for example not

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changing environmental policy because

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other countries are polluting the

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environment as well this can be avoided

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by acknowledging that both circumstances

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are a problem and then try to return to

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the original topic of conversation

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another way in which

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anti-intellectualism comes through is

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willful ignorance willful ignorance is

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when a person will avoid acknowledgement

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of contrary evidence that would

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undermine or invalidate their

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perspective usually based on values

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intuition emotions or anecdotal evidence

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this is a much more difficult

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circumstance sometimes all that can be

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done is to try your best to understand

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the emotion behind the reasoning as well

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as practicing compassion towards the

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person and their perspective since

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people don't have universal experiences

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or share the same background coming to

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an agreement might be difficult

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and finally the best way to combat

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anti-intellectualism

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is to recognize it within yourself

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understand and acknowledge the

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limitations of your own intelligence and

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be willing to have challenging

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conversations

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anti-intellectualism has become more

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prominent due to the many social issues

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that have popularized in recent years

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the systemic denigration of

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science-based facts and the pursuit of

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theory and knowledge is nothing new to

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american culture and has been

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destructive to communities in the past

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politicians and powerful corporations

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have used anti-intellectualism

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as a psychological tool to gain control

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over various demographics but it's best

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to keep an open mind when encountering

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anti-intellectualism in your life

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my name is in human form and thanks for

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watching this video all the way to this

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point since you enjoy interesting topics

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like this be sure to click one of these

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videos that pop up on your screen and

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hit subscribe i'll see you again in the

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next video

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Related Tags
Anti-IntellectualismAmerican CultureSocial PsychologyKnowledge DebateIntellectual PursuitPolitical ManipulationReligious Anti-RationalismPopulist Anti-ElitismEducational DisparitiesCultural HistorySocial Dilemma