TikTok's Obsession with Being "Disgustingly Educated" Raises Concerns About Pseudointellectualism
A recent trend on TikTok has users clamoring to be labeled as "disgustingly educated," with influencers sharing lists of recommended books and films under the guise of self-improvement. The term, derived from the Latin word for dense or unrefined, is being used to describe individuals who engage in intellectual pursuits, such as reading and learning.
However, experts warn that this trend may be a slippery slope towards pseudointellectualism, where people prioritize appearances over actual knowledge and understanding. "It's not about actually knowing things," says a critic, "it's about looking like you know things for likes."
The rise of TikTok has made it easy to curate an online persona that projects intelligence and sophistication, without requiring any actual effort or dedication. Influencers are using their platforms to promote reading lists and educational resources, often with the hashtag #DisgustinglyEducated.
But beneath the surface of this trend lies a more sinister concern: the commodification of knowledge. In an age where information is readily available at our fingertips, the value of self-directed learning is being replaced by the value of social media presence. "It's not about reading books or learning new things," says another critic, "it's about going viral on TikTok."
While some may argue that this trend is a positive development, encouraging people to engage in intellectual pursuits and lifelong learning, others see it as a threat to genuine understanding and critical thinking. As one writer notes, "the achievement of actually knowing things is going to be superseded by a grim desire to simply look as if you know things for likes."
Ultimately, the line between genuine intellectual curiosity and pseudointellectual posturing is becoming increasingly blurred. As we navigate this new landscape of online self-promotion, it's essential to remember that true knowledge and understanding come from hard work, dedication, and a willingness to engage with complex ideas – not just from following trending hashtags or curating a polished online persona.
A recent trend on TikTok has users clamoring to be labeled as "disgustingly educated," with influencers sharing lists of recommended books and films under the guise of self-improvement. The term, derived from the Latin word for dense or unrefined, is being used to describe individuals who engage in intellectual pursuits, such as reading and learning.
However, experts warn that this trend may be a slippery slope towards pseudointellectualism, where people prioritize appearances over actual knowledge and understanding. "It's not about actually knowing things," says a critic, "it's about looking like you know things for likes."
The rise of TikTok has made it easy to curate an online persona that projects intelligence and sophistication, without requiring any actual effort or dedication. Influencers are using their platforms to promote reading lists and educational resources, often with the hashtag #DisgustinglyEducated.
But beneath the surface of this trend lies a more sinister concern: the commodification of knowledge. In an age where information is readily available at our fingertips, the value of self-directed learning is being replaced by the value of social media presence. "It's not about reading books or learning new things," says another critic, "it's about going viral on TikTok."
While some may argue that this trend is a positive development, encouraging people to engage in intellectual pursuits and lifelong learning, others see it as a threat to genuine understanding and critical thinking. As one writer notes, "the achievement of actually knowing things is going to be superseded by a grim desire to simply look as if you know things for likes."
Ultimately, the line between genuine intellectual curiosity and pseudointellectual posturing is becoming increasingly blurred. As we navigate this new landscape of online self-promotion, it's essential to remember that true knowledge and understanding come from hard work, dedication, and a willingness to engage with complex ideas – not just from following trending hashtags or curating a polished online persona.
. It sounds like people are more concerned with getting likes than actually learning something new. I mean, what's the point of reading all these books and watching all those documentaries if you're just gonna be a poser online? 
. Meanwhile, actual experts are over here doing the hard work of studying and researching for years.
. And what's worse, it's creating a culture where people value being "educated" over actual substance 
. I'm all for lifelong learning, but let's not confuse superficial knowledge with real understanding 
.
They're using the term to seem smart and stuff, but it's all just a facade, right? 
I mean, I'm all for self-improvement and learning, but let's not confuse appearances with actual substance. We need to focus on the real stuff – reading, critical thinking, and exploring new ideas – not just curating an online persona that looks impressive. 
. And don't even get me started on how easy it is to fake it online... anyone can copy someone else's content and pretend like they're some kind of expert 
. It's all just about looking cool and getting likes, not about actual self-improvement or growth. And what's with the hashtag #DisgustinglyEducated? Is it just a way to say "I'm trying to appear smart"? Newsflash: if you're only using social media to pretend to be educated, then maybe you're not really educating yourself at all 
. And don't even get me started on the commodification of knowledge - it's like we've become so focused on getting our 15 minutes of fame that we're willing to sacrifice real understanding for a quick internet hit 
.