Intellectuals

I like words, but more specifically, definitions. Seeing how a word can have different means not just in a definition sense but in a cultural sense as well. So, let’s define what an ‘intellectual’ is. From the Oxford Dictionary (the only I one I trust) it states that an intellectual is having a highly developed intellect.

Side note: I really enjoy sifting through my dictionary. It’s a bit of a hobby at this point.

Where did the intellectuals go? There used to be clubs to join, self titled groups of them (The Beats is a great example), and people making huge break throughs. Part of me connects this to the media no longer highlighting intellectual achievements, with the “blood leads” mentality of modern-day journalism.

Don’t worry, they’re still here. Not necessarily in media sanctioned politics or science but in self published, self made people.

Let’s backtrack a little and do some research: Off to Google

I searched (as you can see above) ‘Intellectuals in the 20th century’.

My results were countless lists and biographical websites that listen these names:

1. Winston Churchill: Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. In his lifetime he published more than 40 books, hundreds of articles, and was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1953.
2. Albert Einstein: A Theoretical physicist. one of the most influential scientists of the 20th century. You will recognize his well known equation (special relativity) E = mc²
3. George Orwell: The English novelist. He is recoized as one of the world’s most influential writers. He is the author of Animal Farm and Nineteen Eighty-four and eyewitness as well as non-fiction classics Down and Out in Paris in London, The Road to Wigan Pier and Homage to Catalonia.
4. Simone de Beauvoir: French existentialist philosopher, writer, social theorist, and feminist activist. She laid the foundation for the modern feminist movement.

Image created by Kendall LaVaque

On to the next search to compare and contrast

I searched (as you can see above) ‘Intellectuals in the 21st century’.

My results were unfortunately NOT countless lists and biographical websites. The results listed intellectuals from the previous century that are barely still alive. I was able to find a list on thinkers50.com calling out thinkers with the ideas most likely to shape the future (2023).

Here are some names:

1. Reid Blackman: An expert in the ethics of AI. Author of the book Ethical Machines, where he dives in on the complexities of AI ethics and then presents a framework for managing the said risks of AI implementation and usage.
2. Jodi-Ann Burey: An Expert on authenticity in the workplace. She has a TED Talk, The Myth of Bringing Your Full Authentic Self to Work. She is known for her righteous disruption of traditional narratives about racism at work.
3. Matt Johnson: A Neuroscientist specializing in the application of psychology to branding.his work has expanded the science of brand storytelling, experiential marketing, and consumer decision-making.
4. Lindsey McInerney: A tech futurist. She is the founder and CEO of Black Sun Labs, McInerney on web3 and metaverse education and strategy. she is a Futurist leader on topics such as crypto, NFTs, metaverse, AR, VR, and Web3.

Image created by Kendall LaVaque

As I said before the second search didn't have countless lists and resources, I had to sift through websites with little to no sources and spam. The results listed at the top intellectuals from the previous century and asked if this is what I was looking for. This doesn't mean there are no modern intellectuals, it just means that the terminology has changed.

While looking at the modern list you'll notice that there are terms like

• Thinkers
• Futurists
• AI

This begs the question, is the 21st century term for ‘intellectual’ so broad that we need niche specific terminology?

I would argue yes. Here is why.

If you look back throughout history this term has changed, in the Renaissance you had intellectuals referred to as a Renaissance man, or a Universal Man. 18th-century European Enlightenment you had The philosophes (French for ‘philosophers’)which was a broad term.

Fast forward to the 20th century you had intellectuals and scholars and in the 21st century you now have academics and futurists. The term/label changes with the technology.

While I do think that the media, academic institutions, and society need to change who we idolize or focus on, we need to start doing it for ourselves. I can personally say I knew more about Ted Bundy and Gun control bills then I knew about Futurists and academics making huge breakthroughs.

You can also read this on my blog Dispatch

Let me know your thoughts below!