A new trend is sweeping social media, encouraging users to become 'disgustingly educated' by consuming classic literature, nonfiction essays, and old films. Originating on Reddit in 2024, the movement has since spread to platforms like TikTok, where influencers recommend books on topics ranging from Greek mythology to emotional intelligence.
While the trend promotes self-improvement and intellectual growth, critics argue it risks fostering pseudointellectualism. The focus may shift from genuine learning to merely appearing knowledgeable for social media validation. One observer noted, 'The achievement of actually knowing things is going to be superseded by a grim desire to simply look as if you know things for likes.'
Proponents counter that any encouragement to read and learn is positive in an age of short attention spans. 'Nothing is cooler than being disgustingly educated,' some say, emphasising the value of going offline to engage with meaningful content.
However, the irony is not lost that much of the trend's promotion relies on the very platforms it seeks to escape. As one commentator remarked, 'I just looked up the etymology of “gross” on ChatGPT,' highlighting the outsourcing of intelligence to AI even within a trend about personal erudition.
