posted September 12, 2013 11:37 AM              

This thread really caught my attention. I see the old stigma repeated that the "stupid masses" are so intellectually inferior that they cannot comprehend the fundamentals of what are deemed as "intellectual endeavors" such as the arts and philosophy is being repeated as always.

OK to put some background about me I am not well-educated nor do I consider myself an intellectual. In fact taken my knowledge into account, most intellectual societies such as MENSA would not even consider me for membership.

However despite not being an intellectual nor educated, I am interested in subjects deemed as "intellectually captivating" that includes philosophy and history. I have some knowledge of various intellectual subjects and even have gained deeper levels of knowledge only specialists could learn such as in the case of literature some of the deeper messages hidden within Gone with the Wind.

So when I saw this post I was irritated seeing an old stigma repeated. Because it assumes only the intellectual and educated sectors of society can hope to discuss or even merely enjoy such "intellectual endeavors" like science or art.

I know a lot of people into such endeavors and they are neither well-educated nor what society stereotypes as intellectuals. For example one of my DeviantArt friends reads a lot. As in she read at least 5% of the books listed in the l "Bestselling books of all time" on Wikipedia (which is A LOT when you see over a 100 books are listed on the page) and reading is one of her main hobbies.

But most intellectual endeavors either she only has basic general knowledge off or she is not interested in. For example as far as history goes she's intereste din the Middle Ages and World War 2 but her knowledge are mostly cliches repeated in general history books or told from the perspective of her country (Finland).

So she enjoys literature and has more knowledge than the average Joe (esp. in the fantasy genre). She is educated however (graduated from college I'm not sure what level but at least the minimal requirements needed by the Finnish government). But she probably never heard of Marshall Arthur Wellesley more famously known as the Wellington nor has she likely heard of James Buchanan. She probably has not read Phenomenology of Perception (a major work of philosophy).

But her knowledge of fantasy literature amazes me and I was surprised how many books she already has read on Wikipedia's list of Bestselling books of all time. I doubt most self-proclaimed intellectuals and the well-educated had heard of her favorite fantasy series.

To use another example, my father has a Masters. But he's barely remembers any of the classic works of literature he had to read in school nor is he even aware of many classic works outside mainstream ones like the Illiad. In fact the only literature he is aware of (and reads frequently) are those in the War genre and related to the Military such as the Art of War. He isn't interested in philosophy and the only science he really pays attention to not shown in the news are those related to sports medicine and health.

posted September 12, 2013 01:54 PM            

I also used to live with someone obsessed with math and she'd get exasperated with me sometimes when I couldn't get all her math jokes (but she forgave me for it).

It's all another form of geekery (that is obsession with a subject), the way some people really obsess over literature and art in the same exact way as others obsess over a football team or Star Trek. In some cases they understand this is a quirk of theirs and get along with others fairly well while trying to check themselves from being an annoyance but others have to promote their interest (and maybe show off their goodies be it a hard to get book, NFL clothes & jewelry, Star Wars collectible, or maybe some blade made centuries ago) at all times and get upset when others not only fail to keep up but can't even fake enthusiasm for it. Naturally, the latter believe something is wrong with others who don't share their interests, be it sports, academic pursuits, or some scifi series (or many other things). Furthermore they assume anyone just as geeky but about another subject are contemptible and can even lead to some real clashes in some cases (be it brawls & stabbings between fans of opposing sports teams or vandalism & cyber attacks between Star Wars vs. Star Trek extremists who consider each other tasteless idiots).

Heck, maybe the people who can't shut up about their esoteric religious beliefs count!