Information, Intellectuals and Iran...

What image comes to your mind when you picture an intellectual? Ever see Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade? I imagine an intellectual to look like Harrison Ford did in the beginning of the movie; blazer with leather patches on the elbows, glasses, disheveled hair, nervous mannerisms. When I think of an intellectual I think of someone who is too busy learning and studying to know what is happening around them. I imagine that they cannot be bothered with the mundane because they are too busy with the greater concept of self-education.

That person does not exist. If they do exist I hope and pray that I am not forced to spend anything longer than an elevator ride with them. I say this because this past month I have met, on three separate occasions, three people who are self-proclaimed intellectuals. Each of them stated to me that they consider themselves to be "an intellectual" and interested in politics and society. Each one of them claimed to not watch television. All of them claimed to have opinions but none of them shared these opinions because of their "concern" that those around them would not be able to comprehend and understand the discussion, (not being intellectuals and all.)

One woman really stands out in my mind. She actually made me kind of sad. After hearing her many proclamations of intellectualism and interest in politics I asked her one morning if she had been watching the crisis in Iran. I naturally assumed that anyone interested in politics and world events would surely be tethered to the TV, Internet or radio in the hopes of hearing anything about the possible world-changing events taking place there. No. She condescendingly claimed that no, she did not watch television. She tries never to turn on the idiot box. I wanted to give her the benefit of the doubt so I said something to the effect of oh, yes, but I'm sure you've read about it in the paper, right? No. Radio? No. Oh, right! The Internet? No.

The woman claimed not to pay attention to any media because none of it was reliable. She tries to get her information by talking to the people around her. She gets her information by talking to her friends or her husband. So, four days into the protests in Iran- four days after the elections in Iran, I sat and explained to her why the country has cut off communication with the world. I explained to her why people are being murdered in the street. I explained to her why this is important to our US interests. I explained to her why she should even care.

Her ignorance on the issue is not what bothers me. I think it's perfectly understandable and excusable to not know about every world event. Who can keep up all the time, right? Many of my friends feel differently. Life is hard, especially now a days, and it's conceivable that many people are too busy with the simple act of living to think outside of their own district, let alone outside their country. I also have no problem with the people who entertain themselves with Britney Spears and "Spidey". Life is depressing for many and God forbid I begrudge them an escape into something glittery and exciting. My beef is with the people who condescend to those who don't follow world events. My problem is with people who claim themselves to be intellectuals but are, in essence, anti-intellectuals.

These anti-intellectuals love to engage in discussion. They claim to love discussing all matters of society and politics. Most of them have traveled the world and some of them can use a few big words and sound professorial. I find that when I usually meet someone who touts their intelligence they tend to look down on people who do not do the same. My experience as a blonde flight attendant has been that oftentimes these pseudo-intellects will dumb down their language for me or dismiss me, assuming I have nothing to offer on a topic. I suppose this egotistical attitude, wrought with condescension, would be excusable if they were truly in touch with the world around them, or, if they at least had the desire to be in touch with the world around them. It's one thing to avoid mass media because of a fear of bias or filter but to be willfully ignorant and claim intellectualism is simply a fraud.

Why limit yourself to the information the people around you may or not choose to provide you? I was astounded to her this woman, in her fifties, tell me that she relies on her husband for information on current events. In a world where some countries still forbid women the right to read I find it disgusting that a free, American woman is choosing to refuse that right and rely solely on her husband and friends for education. Knowledge is power and when surrender our will to learn to we surrender our freedom.

Another "intellectual" lives in my neighborhood. Those of you who follow my blog know that I care very deeply about my city and my community. I was born and raised in Rockford and the problems in Rockford of racial tension, poverty, unemployment, crime and stagnation are all very important to me. I want to know about what's happening around me, and I won't throw my hand in front of my face simply because others believe my town to be small and insignificant. The intellectual in my neighborhood claims not to follow anything in Rockford. He's too busy and he can't be bothered with these little problems. I would think that a true intellectual would want to learn as much as possible about everything around him. The bottom line for me is that it seems a true intellectual would not refuse information.

Life begins with education. It's how we obtain the most from the world around us! This comes from the classroom, the University, the people around us, the media, books and experience. One of the smartest, most insightful men I know is my father, and he has a GED! He bothers to learn. He doesn't think that he's above learning anything new. He's always taught us, my siblings and me, that we have something to offer, but also that we have much to learn. I hope never to call myself an "intellectual". I hope to always pay attention to the chaos that surrounds me because I know it effects me.

I make a warning to anyone taking the time to read... Beware of wolves in sheep's clothing. Some people thrive and essentially rely on misinformation. Beware that the intellectual you are speaking with, the one with the glasses and the elbow patches and the disheveled hair, may just be a character- a role, like that of Indiana Jones in the beginning of that movie. They may be enjoyable but they are not superior. A dear friend once told me that when you are right, you must stand up for yourself. Don't let anyone intimidate you... intellectual or not.