]] It just exists in different degrees in different people, and peoples. In any case, all of these delusions, that you can be “uploaded” because your “brain” can be uploaded, that “the universe is information” or that something like “artificial intelligence” actually can exist, are all at bottom the same delusion and the same power fantasy of the nerd. The nerd can be described as a person of inelegant and pedantic intelligence, often middling intelligence, who takes excessive pride in the intellect, even in the memorization of facts, the design of clumsy concepts to which reality is then expected to fit like to bed of Procrustes.... And he identifies with it. There are very rare people in history, even a few saints and martyrs, who were ashamed of their evil character and will, and sought salvation in contemplation, sought some escape in this. These are sometimes noble people, but this doesn’t describe the nerd. The nerd doesn’t hate himself, his nature, his tendencies or spirit, nor is his intellect powerful enough to over-awe his needling will and consider things without the pressure of interest or the gravity of petty desires. He never sees things like the true genius or the artist does, when the perceiving part of the intellect becomes so powerful that it really overpowers everything else...so that the fullness of the object occupies all of consciousness and an idea, or some new insight into the world, is actually grasped. No, the nerd is a creature of will, under the direction of a petty will in the everyday sense, and all of his thoughts, concepts, and designs have a forced quality because they refer always to need and desire for some kind of gain. This very often is just material gain, but the desire for prestige is even worse. In men of intellect the desire for prestige is often the most disgusting, especially when there’s no native manliness, because this leads to cowardice and lies, to others and oneself. For this reason Nietzsche said manliness is the first requirement of the philosopher, but there’s no one farther from the philosopher than the unmanly nerd, and there’s no enemy more implacable of the human race and of thegenius of the species, than just this nerd and everything he represents. [Bronze Age Mindset an Exhortation by Bronze Age Pervert](x-devonthink-item://F953FB51-EE4A-4FC6-BC1B-95F5C8D5175F?page=40&start=318&length=2169&search=It%20just%20exists%20in%20different%20degrees%20in%20different%20people,%20and%20peoples.%20In%20any%20case,%20all%20of%20these%20delusions,%20that%20you%20can%20be%20%E2%80%9Cuploaded%E2%80%9D%20because%20your%20%E2%80%9Cbrain%E2%80%9D%20can%20be%20uploaded,%20that%20%E2%80%9Cthe%20universe%20is%20information%E2%80%9D%20or%20that%20something%20like%20%E2%80%9Cartificial%20intelligence%E2%80%9D%20) *** ![[🌠The Dichotomy of Intellect - Nerds and Philosophers.png]] # The Dichotomy of Intellect: Nerds and Philosophers ### Text Analysis: The author presents a critique of individuals labeled as 'nerds', characterizing them as excessively proud of their intellect and knowledge, yet lacking in deeper insight or creative ability. This portrayal suggests that nerds are more concerned with accumulating facts and imposing their conceptual frameworks on reality than with seeking truth or engaging in genuine creative thought. The critique extends to their motivations, viewing them as driven by material or social gains rather than a profound understanding or artistic expression. Additionally, the text contrasts this with Nietzsche's concept of 'manliness' in philosophy, implying that nerds lack the necessary courage and honesty for substantial intellectual or philosophical endeavors. ### Metaphorical Explanation: Imagine a vast library filled with books, representing the world of knowledge and intellect. In this library, 'nerds' are depicted as librarians who are excellent at cataloging and memorizing the content of the books. They take pride in the organization and accumulation of information, often attempting to categorize the complexity of the world into neat, orderly shelves. However, in a corner of the library, there are philosophers and artists, akin to explorers who use the books as maps to venture into unknown territories. They are less concerned with the organization of the library and more with the insights and truths that these books can unveil about the world. The nerds, with their 'petty will', are like librarians who are more interested in the prestige of managing a vast collection and the appearance of knowledge, rather than the wisdom and creative exploration it can facilitate. Nietzsche's idea of 'manliness' in this context symbolizes the boldness and honesty required to delve into the depths of understanding, something that the nerds, preoccupied with prestige and self-interest, lack. ### Contextual Insight: This metaphor highlights the author's criticism of nerds as individuals who prioritize the superficial aspects of intellect – the accumulation and control of information – over the deeper, more courageous pursuit of truth and creative insight. It contrasts the nerd’s focus on factual knowledge and social prestige with the philosopher’s or artist’s drive for profound understanding and creative expression. The author implies that this superficial approach to intellect hinders genuine human creativity and progress, lacking the bravery and sincerity to explore and question the more profound aspects of existence and knowledge. *** ### Reflective Questions Considering the author's critique of 'nerds' as prioritizing knowledge accumulation over deeper insight, how might this perspective challenge your views on the value of intellectual pursuits and the qualities that constitute true wisdom and creativity in both personal and professional spheres?