`Stupidity` Response

In On Stupidity , Thomas H . Benton takes into account the intellectual emptiness of America and is of the view that American anti-intellectualism has reached its zenith in the contemporary times and with the election of George W . Bush as American presidents twice Thomas Benton assertions seem appropriate as American nation that itself was a balance-mix of various intellectual movements i .e . enlightenment romanticism etc . is indulged in materialistic pursuits with petty aims and objectives . An American popular culture has influenced the world more than intellectual capital and movements . An American nation enjoys

br eating Macburgers , watching soaps , talking about Iraq war rather then indulging themselves in scholarly amusements . This intellectual bankruptcy is manifested in the form of changing political ideals George Washington , an intellectual general , loved the cherished ideals of democracy , equality and fraternity whereas Bush administration supports highly undemocratic regimes across world

Benton 's second concern about non-utilization of intellectual faculties among students also seems valid as our academic campuses have become a place to earn degrees only . My on-campus experience illustrates that Information technology and digitalization o education has not only weakened students ' capacity to contemplate and express their contemplation in beautiful and comprehensible verbal expressions but also marred their intellectual capacities to produce new ideas from what they have learnt . It has been replaced by mere reproduction of ideas . I myself surfed the net to find information instead of triggering my intellectual impulses . Furthermore independent thinking ' and objective analysis ' does not exist in the contemporary academic world . It has been substituted by emotions appeal and sentimental viewpoints

Above-mentioned arguments and supporting evidence manifests that Benton 's view-point is valid as whole American socio-political structure harms the spirit of intellectualism and forwards the agenda of materialistic success in an age of technological advancements...