Part 1: What is Anti-Intellectualism?

Hello everyone, and welcome to this week's discussion!

Today, we are diving into a topic called Anti-Intellectualism. This is a big word, but the idea is simple. Anti-intellectualism is a distrust or dislike of knowledge, science, complex ideas, and experts. It is the belief that "book smarts" are not as important as "street smarts," and that thinking too much or being too educated is unnecessary or even bad.

This isn't just something that happens in other countries; we can see examples all around us. For instance:

   When people say, "Why read so many books? A university graduate still ends up working for a boss who only finished elementary school!" (Distrust of education)

   When someone shares a well-researched fact online, and others make fun of them for being a "show-off" or a "know-it-all." (Hostility towards experts)

   When a simple, emotional story from a social media influencer is trusted more than complicated scientific advice from a doctor. (Preferring emotions over facts)

Part 2: Questions for Discussion

Now, we want to hear your thoughts! Please share your opinions on any of the questions below. There are no right or wrong answers.

1.  "Practical" vs. "Useless" Knowledge: We often hear, "What's the point of learning this? Is it useful for getting a job?" When is this a practical question, and when does it become anti-intellectual? Is it okay to study something just because you are curious?

2.  Social Media & Misinformation: On apps like Douyin and Weibo, misinformation often spreads faster than true information. Why do people sometimes trust emotional online posts more than experts? How can we practice critical thinking when we use social media?

3.  Exam-Oriented Education: If we only care about test scores and not about loving knowledge, is that a form of anti-intellectualism? Did your focus on exams change how you feel about learning?

4.  The "Lie Flat" Movement: Is choosing to "lie flat" (reject intense competition) a smart personal choice, or is it a rejection of the pursuit of knowledge? Can you be intellectual without being competitive?

We encourage you to choose one question and share your experience and ideas. Let's have a friendly and thoughtful discussion