Anti-intellectualism

To start off, Graff does a nice job incorporating an anecdote and pathos into Hidden Intellectualism. It appeals to feelings. In the first few sentences of his article it is easy to relate to his words. Although some people can relate to it, not everyone can. However he needs more logic in it. Anecdotes and pathos achieve sympathy, but he does not have enough facts in there in order to persuade someone to believe what he is saying. He lacks factual evidence which is an essential part of trying…

carelessness towards her husband in the war and makes them want to avoid becoming like her; people who put their own needs and entertainment first, which is an extreme case of hedonism. The education system shown in this book is a warning to the anti-intellectualism and brainwashing which are both evident in the real world. It also warns today’s society against the result of prohibiting books as it will cause hedonism to spread over society. Hedonism is also represented through Fahrenheit,…

Gerald Graff's work, Hidden Intellectualism, is a display of hidden intellectualism in everyday life. In other words, education does not always come from schooling but is also taught from the world around us on the smallest level. In the article, Graff draws attention to what the typical view of what intelligence is often considered to be and why this is wrong throughout several repeated forms. A key strength of this article is presented right away through the debut. Graff's eye-catching and…

the sense of being a positive influence for the rest of the world to a negative influence. In chapter twenty-one “The Abuses of History”, the author elaborates on the blossoming of aggressive nationalism, militarism, Darwinism, the Aryan myth, and anti-Catholicism, which carried a negative effect on Germany as well as the rest of the world. Lastly, in chapter twenty-two “The Pathologies of Nationalism”, Watson goes further into detail the destructiveness of Nationalism.…

novels, and the discussions/debates of them between his friends. Graff’s point of bringing up his childhood interests was to compare ‘street-smarts’ and academic smarts. More specifically how people equated ‘street-smarts’ with anti-intellectualism. He counters saying intellectualism does not need to be within certain categories, e.g. intelligence does not need to be limited to topics such as Shakespeare or Plato. Instead, intelligence is based on how you think, not what you think about. Being…

In “Hidden Intellectualism,” Gerald Graff uses examples from his personal life to submit his view of a college education. Mike Rose exemplifies his mother and uncle’s comparable opinions in “Blue Collar Brilliance” to prove his view on a college education. Even though both articles reflect the same view, they use different methods and devices to relay their common interest; although, Graff uses personal experiences, Rose uses standpoints. Confirmed by both Graff and Rose, education is not only…

regarding the anti-intellectual values that the majority of people hold today, and the tragic situation that his country has been left in, in that people no longer strive to be educated in america. Friedman's thesis statement can be found in lines 28 - 34, where he states, “ Enough is enough. Nerd’s and geeks must stop being ashamed of who they are. It is high time to face the persecutors who haunt the bright kid with thick glasses from kindergarten to the grave. For America’s sake, the…

In this essay, I will discuss how in today’s culture, this stereotype is perpetuated unfairly due to the anti-intellectualism movement, social status, and portrayal in the media, often leading to ostracizing the intellectual or those who seem smarter than the…

In Susan Jacoby’s essay, “How Dumb Can We Get?” she questions why Americans are becoming less literate and what factors contribute to the lack of awareness in political and cultural issues (261). Jacoby deliberates on the severity of the national crisis presented because of the dullard, irrational citizens of society (262). University students mock their learning experiences by doing the bare minimum and still managing to obtain a college degree, Jacoby assures (260). Jacoby believes that…

neighborhood, with his dad’s contacts and the Burger Boyz, smoking or dealing. Ironically, each personality exhibited different stereotypical aspects of Hip Hop culture. Some he embraced, such as the idea of instant gratification. Unfortunately, the anti-intellectualism and violence associated with Hip Hop and drug dealing had the biggest effect in Rob’s life, causing his death. The need to provide for his mother and also seize the unknown was a motivator…