The Impact of Anti-Intellectualism

The podcast discusses the virality of an academic's thesis post that sparked significant negative backlash online, emphasizing the rising trend of anti-intellectualism in society. Allie Lukes' thesis, which emphasizes the role of smell in literature and social conflicts, was mocked and ridiculed on social media after being retweeted by right-wing accounts. This response reflects a larger cultural phenomenon where hostility toward academia and experts is increasing, with studies revealing that a significant portion of Americans harbor anti-intellectual beliefs. The reaction to Lukes' post serves as a case study for understanding how cultural threads such as misogyny and the anti-woke movement converge to challenge and undermine intellectual discourse, threatening democratic engagement and critical thought.