2008 Woodie Awards
Jacoby warns about the dangers of "anti-intellectualism"
Victoria Vlisides
Issue date: 10/1/08 Section: News
New York Times best selling Author and activist Susan Jacoby spoke Wednesday raising concerns about the deterioration of American intellect in her book, "The Age of American Unreason," at 7:00 p.m. in Young Auditorium.
In the book, her first New York Times best seller, Jacoby distinguishes the difference between her own buzz word, "junk-thought" and rational, intellectual conclusions.
She said the perhaps sometimes unintentional laziness of Americans to sit in front of the computer for all the answers, instead of taking the time to find other methods of information, and the overall descent from an information-seeking nation to a self-confirming, ignorance-spreading one is becoming a paramount issue people seem to be in denial about.
"Bush is a symptom of where we are," Jacoby said. "The criticisms of Obama, for being too well educated, too well spoken, are another symptom. This would simply be considered laughable in any other nation in the developed world."
The computer is a tool that's been romanticized as the best source of information instead of the most efficient source, Jacoby said. This misconception is another contributor to the anti-intellectualism of American society, she said.
Jacoby cited three main "anti-intellectual forces" fueling the "Age of Unreason." She first outlined the growing priority of the video culture over the print culture.
"The ignorant popular culture of video images and noise leave no room for contemplation or logic," Jacoby said. "I can't call myself a conservative; I do, however, consider myself a cultural conservatoinist."
Secondly, she said the renewal of religious fundamentalism within the scope of politics has contributed to the anti-rationalism of the American society, citing that nearly one-third, more than any other developed nation, believes in the literal truth of the Bible.
Finally, Jacoby said the third anti-intellectual force was the flawed public education system.
In the book, her first New York Times best seller, Jacoby distinguishes the difference between her own buzz word, "junk-thought" and rational, intellectual conclusions.
She said the perhaps sometimes unintentional laziness of Americans to sit in front of the computer for all the answers, instead of taking the time to find other methods of information, and the overall descent from an information-seeking nation to a self-confirming, ignorance-spreading one is becoming a paramount issue people seem to be in denial about.
"Bush is a symptom of where we are," Jacoby said. "The criticisms of Obama, for being too well educated, too well spoken, are another symptom. This would simply be considered laughable in any other nation in the developed world."
The computer is a tool that's been romanticized as the best source of information instead of the most efficient source, Jacoby said. This misconception is another contributor to the anti-intellectualism of American society, she said.
Jacoby cited three main "anti-intellectual forces" fueling the "Age of Unreason." She first outlined the growing priority of the video culture over the print culture.
"The ignorant popular culture of video images and noise leave no room for contemplation or logic," Jacoby said. "I can't call myself a conservative; I do, however, consider myself a cultural conservatoinist."
Secondly, she said the renewal of religious fundamentalism within the scope of politics has contributed to the anti-rationalism of the American society, citing that nearly one-third, more than any other developed nation, believes in the literal truth of the Bible.
Finally, Jacoby said the third anti-intellectual force was the flawed public education system.
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