Intellectual freedom

negative way that only “nerds” aim for. He also mentions his experiences in hiding his own type of intellectualism. Graff grew up thinking “book smart” was not taken seriously and the subject was stigmatized. He describes himself as a typical anti-intellectual teenager. Gerald grew up being torn between choosing to be tough or intelligent. Although he had a disinterest for traditional academic

college without a desire to learn won’t get anything out of it. These kinds of students have a negative impact on students who actually value their education. They spread anti-intellectual ideas to students and give them the impression that they are unusual for taking pride in their education and cause them to become anti-intellectual because that is clearly the cool thing to do. More and more kids than ever before are arriving at colleges (Trout). This is good in a way because it means that many more

associated with the intellectual crowd. He strongly believes that the scope in which society considers material intellectually enhancing, is unreasonably narrow. Based on the historical facts of division between so called book-smarts and street-smarts, Graff illuminates the impairment caused by complete separation, as well as the possibility of greater success by integrating societal interests with academic study. He argues that worlds of a wider cultural domain and acclaimed non-intellectual interest such

Anti-Intellectuals What is the first thing people think of when they hear the “smart” kid talks about his accomplishments? Those smart kids get called a nerd and automatically have to deal negative things all because society itself thinks it is okay to do so. In “Anti-Intellectualism: Why We Hate Smart Kids”, Grant Penrod explains why anti-intellectualism exist. People will remember what the anti-intellectuals do but not so much the intellectuals. Society envy those who are smarter than them and

individuals. This is vital for the public to understand that “Real intellectuals turn any subject, however lightweight it may seem, into grist for their mill through the thoughtful questions they bring to it, whereas a dullard will find a way to drain the interest out of the richest subject.” (Page 1) In “Hidden Intellectualism” Gerald Graff explains the overwhelming importance for the “street smart” people and the pretentious intellectuals. In Hidden Intellectualism, Gerald Graff starts with the age-old

He sold his tractor-trailer and stayed home with Norma Jean for a number of months before he became active again. During this time, however, Norma Jean had become intellectual, as she had enrolled in a college course and stayed up all night to work on her essay outlines. Leroy however, has not reached her level of intellectual interest and he tinkers with plans to build Norma Jean a log cabin, “She sits in the kitchen concentrating on her outlines, while Leroy plays with his log house plans,

Milton discusses two personalities that foretell the joys and dilemmas in each. Through the two poems, Milton juxtaposes the life of commoners, who rejoice in Mirth, and the intellectual, who finds solace in Melancholy. While Milton sanctions the authenticity of both lifestyles, he equates the life of “Il’Peneroso” with intellectual and religious hierarchy; therefore, Milton edifies the borders of social class that comprised human echelons of the 17th century. Oftentimes within the two poems, Milton

care of children and pleasing their husbands. Nevertheless, from the eighteenth century until the middle and late periods of the nineteenth century, some women know and understand the meaning of reading and education. These women are proud to be intellectuals, they were called bluestockings.

“Hidden Intellectualism” As an English major and third year college student, I have already been introduced to several different topics that have broadened the intellectual side of me. Philosophy has introduced me to Descartes, that has made me question who am I, and do I really exist? Economics has made me predict trends and the future of our economy. Music courses have shown me the thought process behind the creative process, genius, and history behind songs, genres, and artists. Reading has made

interests in something outside of subjects we initially find our interests in so that we may develop more as a whole person. Graff refers to his own adolescent experiences as, claiming that he too was a member of this supposedly anti-intellectual group. As a kid, he hated books and much rather read and studied sports magazines. He talks about his desires to fit in with the “hoods”, lower class “tough” kids