The Age of American Unreason

1. The rise of anti-intellectualism in modern America

"Our anti-intellectualism is, in fact, older than our national identity and has a long historical background."

Historical roots: Anti-intellectualism in America has deep historical roots, dating back to the country's founding. This sentiment has manifested in various forms throughout American history, from the populist movements of the 19th century to the current distrust of experts and elites.

Modern manifestations: In recent decades, anti-intellectualism has taken on new forms, fueled by:

• The rise of social media and the democratization of information
• The politicization of science and expertise
• The growing distrust of traditional institutions, including universities and the media
• The emphasis on practical skills over theoretical knowledge in education and the job market

This trend has significant implications for American society, affecting everything from public policy decisions to educational priorities and cultural values.

2. The erosion of middlebrow culture and its impact on society

"What has been lost is an alternative to mass popular culture, imbibed unconsciously and effortlessly through the audio and video portals that surround us all. What has been lost is the culture of effort."

Decline of middlebrow culture: The mid-20th century saw a flourishing of middlebrow culture, characterized by:

• Book clubs and reading groups
• Public lectures and adult education programs
• Cultural institutions like museums and orchestras catering to a broad audience

Consequences of erosion: The decline of middlebrow culture has led to:

• A widening gap between high and low culture
• Decreased engagement with complex ideas and art forms
• A reduction in shared cultural experiences across social classes
• The loss of a common intellectual foundation for public discourse

This erosion has contributed to the polarization of American society and the decline of a shared cultural vocabulary.

3. The influence of social Darwinism and junk science on American thought

"Social Darwinism has never died: it manifested itself as a bulwark of eugenics until the Second World War; in the tedious midcentury 'objectivist' philosophy of Ayn Rand; and, most recently, in the form of market economy worship that presents itself not as political opinion but as a summa of objective facts."

Historical context: Social Darwinism, popularized in the late 19th century, applied evolutionary principles to social and economic contexts, often justifying inequality and social hierarchies.

Modern manifestations: Contemporary forms of junk science and pseudoscientific thinking include:

• Climate change denial
• Anti-vaccination movements
• Racial and gender "science" justifying discrimination
• Economic theories that present market forces as natural and inevitable

These ideas continue to shape public policy and social attitudes, often serving to reinforce existing power structures and inequalities.

4. The politicization of anti-intellectualism and its effects on public discourse

"The suggestion that there is something sinister, even un-American, about intense devotion to ideas, reason, logic, evidence, and precise language is one of them."

Political leverage: Anti-intellectualism has been weaponized by various political movements, particularly on the right, to discredit opposing viewpoints and appeal to populist sentiments.

Effects on discourse: This politicization has led to:

• The dismissal of expert opinion in favor of "common sense" or ideological purity
• The portrayal of intellectuals and academics as out of touch with "real" America
• The rejection of nuanced arguments in favor of simplistic slogans and sound bites
• The erosion of shared facts and agreed-upon sources of information

These trends have made it increasingly difficult to have substantive debates on complex issues and have contributed to the polarization of American politics.

5. The resurgence of fundamentalist religion and its clash with science

"To cite just one example, Americans are alone in the developed world in their view of evolution by means of natural selection as 'controversial' rather than as settled mainstream science."

Religious revival: The late 20th and early 21st centuries have seen a resurgence of fundamentalist religious beliefs in America, particularly among evangelical Christians.

Conflict with science: This resurgence has led to:

• Challenges to the teaching of evolution in schools
• Skepticism towards climate change science
• Resistance to stem cell research and other biomedical advances
• The promotion of "intelligent design" as an alternative to evolutionary theory

These conflicts have significant implications for science education, public policy, and America's position in the global scientific community.

6. The impact of mass media and technology on intellectual discourse

"Without memory, judgments are made on the unsound basis of the most recent bit of half-digested information."

Media landscape: The proliferation of mass media and digital technology has transformed how information is consumed and processed:

• 24-hour news cycles prioritize speed over accuracy and depth
• Social media algorithms create echo chambers and filter bubbles
• The abundance of information makes it difficult to distinguish credible sources

Effects on thinking: This media environment has led to:

• Shortened attention spans and decreased capacity for deep reading
• The prioritization of emotional appeals over logical arguments
• The fragmentation of shared cultural experiences
• The erosion of critical thinking skills necessary for evaluating complex information

These changes have profound implications for public discourse, political decision-making, and the cultivation of an informed citizenry.

7. The decline of critical thinking and the culture of distraction

"Junk thought may proclaim that men are from Mars and women from Venus, but the truth is that men are from Earth and women are from Earth."

Culture of distraction: Modern life is characterized by constant distractions and information overload, leading to:

• Decreased ability to focus on complex tasks or ideas
• Preference for quick, easily digestible content over in-depth analysis
• Multitasking as the norm, despite evidence of its ineffectiveness

Critical thinking decline: The erosion of critical thinking skills is evident in:

• The popularity of conspiracy theories and pseudoscience
• The susceptibility to misinformation and "fake news"
• The difficulty in evaluating conflicting claims or evidence
• The prevalence of logical fallacies in public discourse

This decline in critical thinking abilities has serious implications for democracy, as it undermines the ability of citizens to make informed decisions and hold leaders accountable.

8. The challenges facing education in an anti-intellectual climate

"It is now possible at many institutions of so-called higher learning for a student to receive a degree in psychology without having taken a mid-level biology course; for an African-American studies major to graduate without reading the basic texts of the 'white' Enlightenment; for a business major to graduate without having studied any literature after her freshman year."

Educational challenges: The anti-intellectual climate has created numerous challenges for education at all levels:

• Pressure to prioritize job skills over broad-based liberal arts education
• Resistance to teaching controversial or challenging topics
• Decreased funding for humanities and social sciences
• The corporatization of higher education, emphasizing marketable skills over critical thinking

Consequences: These challenges have led to:

• A narrowing of curricula and loss of interdisciplinary perspectives
• Decreased emphasis on critical thinking and analytical skills
• The perpetuation of cultural and intellectual divides
• A potential loss of American competitiveness in innovation and creativity

Addressing these challenges is crucial for maintaining a well-educated citizenry capable of navigating the complexities of modern life and sustaining a vibrant democracy.

Last updated: January 24, 2025