Antiintellectualism is on the rise from "summary" of The Death of Expertise by Thomas M. Nichols
In an age when information is more abundant than ever before, it seems paradoxical that antiintellectualism is gaining ground. The death of expertise is not just a catchy phrase; it is a reflection of a disturbing trend in society. People are increasingly skeptical of experts and dismissive of their knowledge and opinions. This rejection of expertise is fueled by a combination of factors, such as the democratization of knowledge through the internet and social media, the erosion of trust in institutions, and the rise of populist movements that thrive on anti-elitism. The internet has democratized knowledge by making information more accessible to the masses. While this has empowered individuals to educate themselves on a wide range of topics, it has also created a breeding ground for misinformation and conspiracy theories. Social media platforms amplify and spread these falsehoods, making it difficult for experts to counteract them. As a result, people are more likely to believe in pseudoscience, fake news, and other forms of misinformation than to trust in the expertise of trained professionals. The erosion of trust in institutions is another contributing factor to the rise of antiintellectualism. Institutions that were once seen as bastions of knowledge and authority, such as universities, the m...
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