Is the Rise of Extremism Evidence of a Failing Academic System?
Generally speaking, it would be the moral responsibility of higher education to make the general public familiar with common fallacies and other intellectual tools that would increase “the immune system” of the public against various forms of demagogueries. But recent trends suggest anything but success for higher education in achieving this social mission, and this should not come as a surprise when this system increasingly treats students like customers, overemphasizes education through entertainment, and the average freshman thinks Machiavelli is a philosopher worth considering.
Yes, I present the claim that our tax money is not well spent on educating our students and that the rise of extremism, including racism and Trump’s demagoguery, is testimony of a failing education system.
How does Trump spread his form of demagoguery? Initially he took advantage of the illegal immigration issue as well as public frustration with the excessive misuse of political correctness to gain popularity while sharpening his rhetoric about different minorities, even using them as scapegoats to appeal to his followers (a conjunctional use of appeal to fear and appeal to people fallacies to gain social power), and sadly he has succeeded due to the intellectual limitations and desperation of his fans. Furthermore, Trump does not offer any solutions for problems facing the U.S.; instead he offers promises of many incoming solutions once he becomes president. In short, he asks for our trust without providing any reason that he has earned that trust, a classic example of how style aims to overcome substance.
And what is the media’s reaction to the extremist views? The very same mistake that has been committed by previous generations: underestimating the strategies and potential success of the demagogue by allowing Trump to hijack public attention with his remarks. The fact of the matter is that Trump has neither political knowledge nor experience with political affairs, nor intellectual ability, nor any charm or interpersonal skills to unify nations against the threats facing the U.S., but he is willing to say anything just to stay in the spotlight, often using outlandish, insulting and stupid comments in the name of “fighting political correctness.” I agree that we need to fight political correctness, but not Trump’s way.
The main problem with the media is that it plays into the hands of Trump’s demagoguery by devoting hours of coverage about the most recent so-called political storm or uproar concerning Trump’s latest remarks.
The proper response to an attention-seeking mass manipulator is not more coverage but rather less coverage. Where are the journalists who should be actively analyzing and exposing the strategies of this populist? The news outlets should STOP giving more coverage to Trump. Continuing to talk about his next politically incorrect comment will keep him relevant in the media, and this is precisely what he wants, knowing that most people are drawn to his celebrity status, and being controversial is politically fashionable, even if it means weaponizing politically incorrect statements to draw more popularity.
I am starting to think that the media too shirks its social responsibility. Instead of informing the public and offering critical analysis, journalism has become a contest over how to make a soap opera out of the latest “Trump news,” keeping the news coverage exciting. In short, the current Trump reality show seems to be “good for business,” generating more “Breaking News” and “News Alerts” for media than ever before.
If you too are disgusted with Trump’s reality show, I suggest that you contact your local media and demand less coverage of Trump’s hype. In the meantime, I hope that the office of Homeland security keeps an eye on Trump since he has been involved in a well-documented self-radicalization process, starting with his sexist “cherishing women” remark to deporting all illegal immigrants and their families to preventing any Muslims from entering the U.S…
Does academia have any social function or social responsibility or is it only a self-serving institution promoting elitist and out of touch ideas?
I personally believe that although academia has no right to prescribe lifestyle or values, it does have the social obligation to train and educate its community members to identify opportunists, demagogues or any other mass manipulator who aims at capitalizing on people’s lack of knowledge and inability to think reflectively and critically.
All in all, in light of the popularity of Trump’s smooth talking, I see clear signs of a failing academic system in regard to serving its social and moral responsibility.