Imagine yourself sitting in English class discussing certain chapters in your class book. Your classmate decides to spark a discussion on a topic they think is important to explore further. As they conclude their explanation, you say, “It’s not that deep.” To most, the comment you made is harmless, but in reality, that comment could cause your classmate to reconsider speaking up again. The increasing tendency to combat educational moments with phrases like “it’s not that deep” not only reflects the attitudes of students, but the rapid rise of a culture built on anti-intellectualism.

Anti-intellectualism rarely comes from unwillingness to further one’s education; rather, it is caused by encounters like the example shared before. When a student is told that their idea is not important or as serious as they make it seem, it not only dismisses the thought, but also students’ curiosity. Over time, repeated dismissal conditions students to withhold their opinions, fearing embarrassment, reinforcing the idea that critical thinking is unnecessary and annoying. 

With these ideas come dangers both within the classroom and throughout one’s entire life. When students are discouraged from close analysis, they lose essential skills such as questioning information, digging deeper into a topic and meaningful engagement in group discussions. 

Now, picture yourself in a new scenario. Imagine learning a new topic in math class. While everyone else seems to understand, you just can’t seem to get it. You decide to ask the people around you for help, but are faced with comments like “it’s so easy” and “figure it out yourself.” Instead of learning, you end up sitting at your desk, giving up on the lesson.

This example demonstrates how anti-intellectualism can hurt people who are already struggling from the get-go. Let’s face it, we’ve all had a situation where we just cannot seem to grasp a certain concept, putting stress on us. Now, when someone’s concerns are instantly dismissed, this can lead them to believe that there is no way to learn. Not only is this an issue because they do not receive that education, but now they don’t feel comfortable asking questions anymore.

Ultimately, the casual dismissal of ideas through phrases like “it’s not that deep” or “just figure it out” does more than end a conversation — it ends one’s curiosity and desire to learn. So the next time you hear a student ask a clarifying question, whether it is basic or complex, I encourage you to make them want to continue asking those questions and strengthen their intellectualism. Valuing thought, even when it is imperfect or incomplete, is the first step to creating an environment where learning is encouraged rather than shut down.