The hottest Intellectualism Substack posts right now

Zelensky's choice of clothing, like wearing a tie, is humorously suggested to have impacted US support for Ukraine. This argument is seen as silly since US policy shifts started before his meeting with Trump.
The current state of conservative thought in the US is viewed as weak, overly focused on pleasing Trump rather than engaging in genuine debate. Many conservatives are criticized for making unreasonable arguments to avoid facing uncomfortable truths.
The article points out that the intellectual depth of the conservative movement has been in decline, which is symbolized by blaming Zelensky for Trump's issues instead of holding Trump accountable.

Hayek's later ideas strayed from classical liberalism and opened doors for distorted interpretations of his work. This led to a rise in beliefs that emphasize race and ethnicity over universal principles.
The alt-Right's claims about intelligence and ethnic success are flawed. They ignore historical and structural factors that contribute to economic achievement and focus too much on innate differences.
Many contemporary thinkers are more about making money than sharing true intellectual ideas. They profit from promoting unrealistic views rather than pursuing genuine understanding and solutions.

Many intellectuals, who once questioned or rejected God, are now finding faith. It's interesting to see a change in perspective among respected thinkers.
One example is Matthew Crawford, who felt lost in his early life but experienced a spiritual transformation through personal connections and discussions about faith.
The journey to finding God can often feel like a personal story of searching and discovery, rather than a simple acceptance of religious beliefs.

Higher education is facing an anti-intellectual trend. Many students are taught to think simply about identity, rather than critically.
The growth of colleges and universities has led to a decline in intellectual quality. More students don't necessarily mean better thinking; it can create mediocrity.
There's a need for new educational institutions for young people. Current colleges may not be fixable, and we need alternatives to support thoughtful learning.

Substack is trying to become a platform for not just writers but all kinds of creators. They want to grow beyond just newsletters and include videos and podcasts, making it a one-stop shop for creative content.
The platform is seen as a way to support and connect with writers while also offering subscribers a chance to show their intellectual tastes. It’s becoming a symbol of belonging to a specific community or culture.
As Substack grows, it faces a challenge of maintaining quality while expanding its audience. There's a risk that it might lose its special intellectual vibe as it tries to attract more users and different types of content.

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Intelligence is not everything, temperament is essential for rationality.
High IQ doesn't guarantee high rationality; street smart can be more crucial than book smart.
Don't be surprised when intelligent people make mistakes, intelligence doesn't prevent errors.

Self-reported IQ scores can be unreliable because people often round their answers or inflate their scores. This makes it hard to trust such numbers.
The average IQ of a specific group can be misleading; just because a group attracts certain types of readers doesn't mean their average IQ is much higher than the general population.
For groups to have a truly high average IQ, there usually need to be barriers or specific conditions in place, like competitive environments or rigorous selection processes.

Playboy magazine had an intellectual aspect with notable authors contributing.
The magazine content was more than just nudity, challenging stereotypes of male-focused publications.
There's a need to acknowledge and cater to the intellectual and libidinal aspects of male identity in media and culture.

Modern-day debates can give a skewed view of rationality and truth-seeking
Debates are often too complex and performative, focusing on entertainment over constructive dialogue
Engaging in good-faith conversations and writing can be more effective for understanding and critiquing ideas

To become a pseudo intellectual, buy some philosophy books from notable philosophers and pretend to understand them
Dive into various cultural and social topics, watch top films, and pretend to have deep knowledge to impress others
Engage in online intellectual communities, share opinions on worldly issues, and avoid becoming a true intellectual by just talking without real action