Summary of The Death of Expertise

The Death of Expertise: The Campaign Against Established Knowledge and Why it Matters, by Tom Nichols, is an exploration of the erosion of experts, the distortion of knowledge, and the impact this has on society. The book examines the rise of anti-intellectualism, the degradation of the public discourse, and the growing trend of citizens to believe that what they learn from the internet is as valid as the research and expertise of scholars and professionals. Nichols argues that this changes the way we think about knowledge and expertise, and sets a dangerous precedent for the future of our democracy. He also makes the case that, as knowledge becomes democratized, it also becomes more vulnerable to manipulation, which can lead to dangerous consequences.