Grant Penrod’s “Anti-Intellectualism: Why We Hate the Smart Kids”, makes the argument that academic achievement should be rewarded just as much as athletic achievement. He continues with the fact that today’s society tends to praise non-intellectuals, such as famous celebrities and athletics, while the intellectually skilled individuals get left no recognition for their accomplishments. I agree with Penrod that there is a hatred and inattention in society for those who are smarter than others, and that public examples and currency obsession contributes to anti-intellectualism. It seems that the disapproval comes from the stereotypical image of nerds being “too smart”. It is true that “nerds” or “losers” will be picked on and bullied. As Penrod
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This means that the many misconceptions of intellectuals is …show more content…
The football players enjoyed the attention of an enthralled school, complete with banners, assemblies, and even video announcements in their honor, a virtual barrage of praise and downright deification. As for the three champion academic teams, they received a combined total of around ten minutes of recognition, tacked onto the beginning of a sports assembly (759). He mentions in his essay that the internet praises high school drop outs. He states, “With such well known cultural icons as Christina Aguilera and Sammy Sosa qualifying for such a list, any drive towards intelligence or education becomes laughable in the eyes of media-inundated young people (Noted Dropouts)” (760). This is saying to society that you do not have to go above and beyond to gain success. Children, teenagers and even adults carry the idea that someone does not have to be educated to make thousands of dollars and be able to keep it up. Currency obsessions are also a cause for anti-intellectualism. Penrod says “examples of uneducated success are even further entrenched by the prodigious wealth of the celebrities involved” (756). Celebrities, like athlete Sammy Sosa, furthered the idea that education is not important. According to The Carillon, “In more than a few cases athletes ‟incomes surpass the gross national product of some third-world countries” (Penrod 761). Many athletes make a lot of money and they do not any
This means that the many misconceptions of intellectuals is …show more content…
The football players enjoyed the attention of an enthralled school, complete with banners, assemblies, and even video announcements in their honor, a virtual barrage of praise and downright deification. As for the three champion academic teams, they received a combined total of around ten minutes of recognition, tacked onto the beginning of a sports assembly (759). He mentions in his essay that the internet praises high school drop outs. He states, “With such well known cultural icons as Christina Aguilera and Sammy Sosa qualifying for such a list, any drive towards intelligence or education becomes laughable in the eyes of media-inundated young people (Noted Dropouts)” (760). This is saying to society that you do not have to go above and beyond to gain success. Children, teenagers and even adults carry the idea that someone does not have to be educated to make thousands of dollars and be able to keep it up. Currency obsessions are also a cause for anti-intellectualism. Penrod says “examples of uneducated success are even further entrenched by the prodigious wealth of the celebrities involved” (756). Celebrities, like athlete Sammy Sosa, furthered the idea that education is not important. According to The Carillon, “In more than a few cases athletes ‟incomes surpass the gross national product of some third-world countries” (Penrod 761). Many athletes make a lot of money and they do not any