Have you noticed that in recent times, society seems to be collectively lowering its IQ? The rise of anti-intellectualism, the rejection of expert opinions in favor of gut feelings and misinformation seems to be at an all-time high.

This phenomenon can be referred to as the “surge of the moron.”.

What is the “Surge of the Moron?”

The “surge of the moron” is a term used to describe the growing anti-intellectual sentiment in modern society.

It refers to the increasing popularity of anti-intellectualism, the dismissal of facts and evidence in favor of opinions or beliefs, and the celebration of ignorance over intelligence.

Experts suggest that factors like the rise of social media, the overconsumption of entertainment media, and the spreading of misinformation through fake news and conspiracy theories have contributed to this surge of the moron.

This new reality not only encourages ignorance but at times, even celebrates it.

The Roots of Anti-Intellectualism

Anti-intellectualism has been present throughout history in different forms. The distrust of experts and elites began in the 1960s, and it has morphed into something more significant in recent times.

Some might point to the rise of populism and the decrease of faith in institutions such as the government, media and academia.

We can also trace the decline of intellectualism to the increasing importance placed on entertainment and celebrity culture.

Anti-intellectualism finds validation in the celebrification of people who are famous for being famous and have no significant accomplishments to their names besides being wealthy and attractive.

Social media plays a massive role in perpetuating anti-intellectualism by allowing anyone to have an opinion and making their opinions visible to a large audience.

Platforms like Facebook and Twitter have become places where people can express their opinion without the necessary skills to argue their points or any thorough research to support it.

The algorithms of these platforms are designed to reinforce our biases and expose us to content that confirms our beliefs instead of challenging them.

Why is it dangerous?

The “surge of the moron” is dangerous because it rejects the notion that objective facts exist and that knowledge and evidence should guide our beliefs.

This means that we’re making decisions based on feelings and emotions instead of rational thinking, which can lead to terrible outcomes. Take, for example, the pandemic denial. People who cling to conspiracy theories and dismiss science and expert opinions might delay taking the necessary precautions even when their lives or the lives of those around them depend on it.

The impact of anti-intellectualism goes beyond individual decisions. Still, it can also shape entire political movements with deadly consequences.

The denial of climate change in the face of an overwhelming body of scientific evidence or the questioning of the legitimacy of elections can lead to devastating results collectively.

The Importance of Intellectualism

The opposite of anti-intellectualism, intellectualism, involves highly valuing knowledge, evidence, and rational thinking. This value encourages curiosity and a desire to learn and understand the world better.

Intellectualism cultivates critical thinking and sharpens decision-making skills. It also encourages informed opinions, which are grounded in objective facts instead of beliefs.

If we want a society that advocates for the best solutions for the common good, a society that fosters innovation and new ideas, we need to promote intellectualism.

Intellectualism helps us become better citizens of the world by recognizing and addressing complex issues that affect our society.

Conclusion

The “surge of the moron” refers to the growing anti-intellectual sentiment in modern society.

The rise of social media, the overconsumption of entertainment media, and the spreading of misinformation through fake news and conspiracy theories have helped to perpetuate this phenomenon. We must recognize the importance of intellectualism if we want to create a better society and promote critical thinking and evidence-based decision-making.

We must work together to celebrate intellect, promote intellectual curiosity, and reject anti-intellectualism.