Schwarzman Session - The War on Knowledge: The Rise of Anti-Intellectualism

Schwarzman Sessions are peer-led gatherings where conversations generate collaborations and move ideas into action. Because seats are limited, registrants will be automatically placed on the waitlist and will be notified via email if they are selected to participate. 

"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.”
- Isaac Asimov in A Cult of Ignorance (1980).

As we navigate the 21st century, data is showing a subtle, yet profound shift occurring in American society: a rise in anti-intellectualism. This points to potential challenges for the value of knowledge and learning. The trend is evident not only in educational statistics but also in the cultural sphere. On one hand, the cost of higher education in the U.S. causes many to question its value, given the almost guaranteed burden of crippling debt. On the other hand, growing skepticism about science and education presents a deeper, more insidious risk of increased susceptibility to manipulation. How do we confront this shift, while continuing to preserve knowledge and our ability to think critically? Join Perpetua Buadoo '26 MPH (Yale School of Public Health) for a conversation on the rise of anti-intellectualism and its broader implications.

Perpetua Buadoo is currently a graduate student at Yale University pursuing a Master of Public Health. With a background in Psychology and Korean, she is passionate about health disparities and believes in global health equity through systemic change. She has worked on advocacy efforts supporting refugees and is actively involved in social justice initiatives at Dwight Hall. Additionally, she conducts research at Yale’s Housing and Health Equity lab, where she examines the intersection of housing policy, public health, and social determinants of health. Through her engagement in public health, social justice, and grassroots initiatives, she strives to bridge gaps in equity and accessibility.