Introduction: The Shift in Perceptions
In today’s world, we’re told that a college education is the golden ticket to success. It’s drilled into us that if we follow the path of formal schooling, graduate with a degree, and join the professional workforce, we’re guaranteed a bright future. But as Generation X knows all too well, this formula has its flaws. We’ve witnessed firsthand the growing gap between education—what we learn in formal institutions—and intelligence, the real-world problem-solving, adaptability, and critical thinking that often exist outside the classroom.
For Gen X, who came of age during a time of rapid technological change and cultural shifts, it’s become clear that being educated and being intelligent are two very different things. And in today’s politically charged climate, where college graduates often look down on those without degrees, it’s more important than ever to understand the distinction.
1. Defining Education and Intelligence
Let’s start with some basic definitions. Education is the process of acquiring knowledge through formal schooling, typically resulting in degrees, certifications, and credentials. It’s often institutionalized and standardized, providing a framework of knowledge that’s valued by society.
Intelligence, on the other hand, is much broader. It’s the ability to think critically, solve problems, and adapt to new situations. Intelligence often thrives outside the constraints of formal education, allowing people to apply knowledge creatively in the real world. It’s about resourcefulness, not just reciting what was taught in a classroom.
2. The Historical Perspective: From Practical Knowledge to Academic Prestige
Historically, practical skills were highly valued. Trades like carpentry, auto mechanics, or plumbing were respected professions, and individuals in these fields were seen as intelligent and capable, regardless of whether they had formal schooling. For Baby Boomers and earlier generations, real-world knowledge and skills were paramount.
But as the 20th century progressed, society began placing more emphasis on formal college education as the pathway to success. For Gen X, this shift created tension. Many of us were raised to believe that college was the key to a good life, but we also saw the value of practical intelligence—the ability to learn and excel through experience and self-teaching. This divide became more apparent as the job market evolved.
3. Intelligence as Real-World Problem Solving
Intelligence, as we see it, is about solving real problems and adapting to challenges. It’s not about memorizing information but about knowing how to use that information effectively. I became a professional auto mechanic through self-teaching, without the need for a formal degree. By learning through hands-on experience, trial and error, and critical thinking, I gained the skills to succeed in a field where education wasn’t the primary measure of intelligence—ability was.
In today’s world, the internet provides endless opportunities for self-learning. With resources like YouTube tutorials and online forums, it’s easier than ever to acquire new skills. Yet, despite this, society still clings to the belief that formal education is the only way to prove one’s intelligence.
4. Education as Institutionalized Learning
Education, particularly in colleges, has become more about following a prescribed path than encouraging independent thought. Universities require students to take general education courses—subjects that may have no relevance to their career goals—under the guise of creating “well-rounded” individuals.
For many Gen Xers, this felt like a waste of time and money. Instead of focusing on building skills and knowledge in areas of personal interest, students are forced into courses they may neither enjoy nor find useful. This rigid structure can stifle creativity and limit the true potential of intelligent individuals who prefer to learn through real-world application.
5. The Rise of Credentialism and Its Limits
Over the past few decades, society has become obsessed with credentialism. A college degree, once seen as a mark of distinction, has become the new high school diploma—a basic requirement for entry into many jobs, even those that don’t necessarily require a degree.
The result? Oversaturation in certain fields. Take law, for example. We now have more law graduates than available jobs, leaving many newly minted attorneys unemployed or underemployed. The same holds true for many other professions. While Gen X saw college as a stepping stone to success, today’s graduates are learning the hard way that a degree doesn’t guarantee a job or financial security.
6. The Gender Dynamics in Education Today
In recent years, women have outpaced men in college enrollment and graduation rates. This has led to a dynamic where many women, fresh out of college, believe that their education gives them the authority to discredit or dismiss those without degrees. We often see these women label non-college-educated individuals as “ignorant” or “stupid” simply for questioning the narratives they’ve been taught.
In many cases, this reflects a lack of critical thinking—an over-reliance on what professors or institutions have dictated as truth. What they often fail to understand is that questioning the status quo is a sign of intelligence, not ignorance. Blindly accepting what is taught, without room for debate or skepticism, is what leads to intellectual stagnation.
7. Intelligence vs. Education in the Workforce
The workforce is starting to recognize the limitations of formal education. Practical skills and real-world experience are becoming more valuable than a degree. Companies are increasingly hiring people based on their ability to do the job, not based on where they went to school.
This is especially true in tech and skilled trades, where self-taught individuals often outperform those with formal education but little hands-on experience. Gen X has long understood that intelligence in action is what matters, not just a diploma hanging on the wall.
8. The Role of Critical Thinking and Skepticism
One of the core elements of intelligence is the ability to question and think critically. But today’s education system, particularly in college, often discourages dissent. Instead of fostering debate, students are expected to conform to a set of pre-approved ideas. This is evident in discussions around climate change, politics, and economics, where consensus is used as a tool to shut down legitimate debate.
This lack of critical thinking has created a generation of graduates who may be educated, but they are far from intelligent in the sense of being able to challenge or question the world around them.
9. The Self-Taught Path: Montessori for Adults
For those of us who are self-taught, learning is about exploration and following our curiosity, much like the Montessori model of education. Gen Xers, in particular, have embraced this mindset, using technology and resources to learn outside traditional institutions.
The beauty of self-teaching is that it’s self-directed and focuses on practical application, not just theory. For those who prefer this path, it’s more effective than being bound by the rigid structures of formal education.
10. Intelligence and the Future of Education
As the job market evolves, it’s clear that formal education is not the only path to success. The pandemic has shown us that remote learning and self-directed education can be just as effective, if not more so, in many fields.
Going forward, we need to rethink what intelligence means and place more value on critical thinking and real-world skills, not just academic credentials.
11. The Political Climate: Education as a Status Symbol
In today’s political climate, having a college degree has become a status symbol, especially among those who see themselves as part of the educated elite. Many use their education to discredit or dismiss those without degrees, particularly in online debates.
In reality, questioning authority—whether that authority comes from a professor or the state itself—is a hallmark of intelligence, not ignorance. Today’s college graduates, especially those who dominate the political discourse, often fail to recognize this.
12. The Influence of Government on Education: Creating Government Supremacists
Much of this issue stems from the fact that our education system—from high school to college—is controlled by government funding. This allows the government to shape the curriculum, reinforcing state-centric ideologies that promote government supremacy over individualism.
The result is an education system that produces individuals who view the government as the solution to all problems, while dismissing anyone who questions that narrative. Over the past few decades, this has led to a generation of government supremacists, who are quick to label dissenters as ignorant or anti-science.
13. My Own Foray into College: Disillusioned by the System
I’ve had my own experiences with college—twice, actually. The first time was right out of high school when I thought I’d further my skills in HVAC-R, a subject I had already studied extensively in high school. I signed up for the course at a local junior college, thinking it would help me advance in the field.
On the first day, I walked into the classroom, and to my surprise, it was the exact same instructor from high school—Zeke. When he saw me, he said, “What are you doing here? You already know all this stuff.” I had no idea the course would cover the same material, and by then it was too late. I had already paid for the class and wasn’t able to get a refund.
The experience was both frustrating and discouraging. I had wasted time and money, and it became clear that continuing further down this path wasn’t going to benefit me.
Years later, I gave it another shot, thinking I might need more skills to improve my job prospects. I enrolled in Job Corps and spent six months there, eventually getting into building maintenance. When I started working on a project, the instructor asked what I had done before, and after watching me work, he said, “You know what you’re doing; you don’t need to be here either.” Once again, I was left feeling disheartened. I didn’t think I had the confidence or the skills at the time, but hearing that from an instructor only deepened my frustration with the formal education system.
These experiences drove home the point that formal education, at least in my case, wasn’t the key to unlocking success. I realized that I already had the skills, but the education system was more focused on repeating information I had already mastered rather than fostering real-world intelligence. It’s no wonder I became disillusioned with the system and pursued self-teaching instead.
14. The Condescension of “Educate Yourself”
Another aspect of today’s college-educated culture, particularly among women, is the use of the phrase “educate yourself” as a way to put others down in discussions or debates. It’s a phrase often thrown at those of us who question the mainstream narratives or don’t have formal degrees.
And when I hear that, I can’t help but think, educate myself by who? From you? Really? Who do you think you are to assume that you, with your institutionalized knowledge, are the gatekeeper of education? It’s an incredibly condescending statement that assumes a monopoly on knowledge, when in reality, education is everywhere—not just in universities and certainly not just through those who went to college.
True intelligence involves questioning everything, including the so-called “education” that people throw around as a credential. Just because someone holds a degree doesn’t mean they’ve cornered the market on knowledge, and it certainly doesn’t mean they’re in a position to dictate to others what they should or shouldn’t believe.
Conclusion: Intelligence Over Education
In the end, intelligence isn’t about having a degree or being part of an educated elite. It’s about thinking critically, questioning authority, and applying knowledge in meaningful ways. While education has its place, true intelligence transcends formal schooling. It’s time we start recognizing the value of practical intelligence, independent learning, and a willingness to challenge the status quo.