There is a cult of ignorance in the United States, and there has always been. The strain of anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that "my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge."
Interpretation
This quote critiques the anti-intellectual attitude present in society, suggesting that ignorance is often wrongly equated with knowledge in democracy.
Isaac Asimov's quote highlights the persistent issue of anti-intellectualism in the United States, where ignorance is sometimes valued on the same level as knowledge, particularly in a democratic context. He argues that this mindset undermines informed decision-making and progress by fostering a culture that dismisses expertise and facts, allowing misinformation to thrive and influencing the political and cultural landscape negatively.
In practice
In a discussion about education reform, one might invoke this quote to argue against anti-intellectual attitudes.
Democracy cannot survive overpopulation. Human dignity cannot survive it. Convenience and decency cannot survive it. As you put more and more people into the world, the value of life not only declines, but it disappears. It doesn't matter if someone dies.
Science does not promise absolute truth, nor does it consider that such a thing necessarily exists. Science does not even promise that everything in the Universe is amenable to the scientific process.
Democracy cannot survive overpopulation.
Although the time of death is approaching me, I am not afraid of dying and going to Hell or (what would be considerably worse) going to the popularized version of Heaven. I expect death to be nothingness and, for removing me from all possible fears of death, I am thankful to atheism.
A subtle thought that is in error may yet give rise to fruitful inquiry that can establish truths of great value.
During the century after Newton, it was still possible for a man of unusual attainments to master all fields of scientific knowledge. But by 1800, this had become entirely impracticable.
The basic premise that children must learn about emotions is that all feelings are okay to have; however, only some reactions are okay.
School days, I believe, are the unhappiest in the whole span of human existence.
I want a little black girl to pick up my book one day and see herself as the star. I want her to know that she's beautiful, and she matters, and she can have a crazy, magical adventure even if an ignorant part of the world tells her she can never be Hermione Granger.
I went to college because I didn't have anywhere else to go and it was a fabulous hang. And while I was there I was exposed to this world that I didn't know was possible.
The best way to get kids to read a book is to say: 'This book is not appropriate for your age, and it has all sorts of horrible things in it like sex and death and some really big and complicated ideas, and you're better off not touching it until you're all grown up. I'm going to put it on this shelf and leave the room for a while. Don't open it.
Within the confines of the lecture hall, no other virtue exists but plain intellectual integrity.
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