When I was a young child, I heard some people say to me, "You're too smart for your own good."

I believe there has always been a sentiment of anti-intellectualism in America.  This means that a person who studies, reads, learns, and goes to school for many years is sometimes labeled as an "egghead," "nerd" or "wierdo."

There is an association of highly trained and educated people as being out of touch with reality, or somehow seeing themselves as superior to others.  This is intellectual snobbism.

Many bright, creative, educated people are as far from that as possible.  They are dedicated citizens who want to use their knowledge to help society grow intellectually, spiritually and emotionally, and maintain good mental and physical health.

Experts write the books, create the videos and maintain a presence in the public eye.  Some supposed "experts" are phonies and don't know what they are talking about.  However, most of them have something of extreme value to share with others.

Some anti-intellectualism comes from resentment of experts for the power they have.  Other people are envious because they don't believe they have the brain-power to study, read, and explore in depth certain areas.

The experts who have studied COVID-19 have worked long and hard to understand their field.  If they tell people to wear masks in public and keep a social distance of at least six feet, they are not doing this to inconvenience people.  They are trying to protect all of us from becoming ill and dying.  It is for social interest, for the good of society as a whole.

As some Americans refuse to listen the expert epidemiologists, we see death rates from the virus rise.  More and more people are infected.  So far, in America, over 135,000 people have died from the Corona Virus.  More than 3 million people in America have been infected by the virus.

I believe the anti-intellectual bias in America is due to the mistaken belief that freedom means one can do whatever he or she wants.  Immediate gratification becomes an addiction.   Some additional beliefs:  Nobody is going to tell me what to do.  The experts are pompous idiots who don't know what they are talking about. 

As we have re-opened stores, restaurants, and businesses, and are planning to re-open schools, the death rate will probably rise higher.  The intellectual experts have warned us about this.  It is challenging and also sad to watch some people ignore their suggestions, keep this pandemic killing more people and continuing longer.

Peace and blessings,

Mike Obsatz

1.  PERSONAL/EMOTIONAL/SPIRITUAL

From:  I feel alone and abandoned
To:  I feel loved and connected to all of creation

From:  I don't think I'm worthy of being loved
To:  I am worthy of love just as I am

From:  I live in shame, and will never be enough, have enough
To:  I love myself.  I have everything I need, and I am more than enough

From:  The world revolves around me
To:  I am part of the Universe, and it is all significant

From:  My worth comes from what others think of me
To:  My worth comes from within my very being, and my spiritual connection

From:  I dwell on the past, and worry about the future
To:  I live in the moment with gratitude, love and acceptance

From:  I am detached and aimless
To:  I have meaning and purpose in my life

     2.  SOCIAL

From: Nobody is worth trusting
To:  I am selective about who I trust and trust myself and life itself.

From:  I need to dominate and control others, especially those who are beneath me in status and power
To:  I value and respect that all others are Divine creations and have a right to express their own uniqueness

From:  I have to be better than everyone
To:  I don't need to compare my self to anyone

From:  I compete with others all the time
To:  I focus on collaboration, cooperation, and creating peace with others

From:  Those at the bottom are worthless and deserve to be there
To:  I am committed to help all others despite their situation and social status

From:  My group is the most important and matters most 
To:  I am here on this planet to bring peace, love and meaning to everyone I can

     3.  POLITICAL

From:  We must be the strongest, most powerful nation in the world
To:  We must work hard to feed everyone, and keep everyone safe

From:  We will kill anyone who gets in our way 
To:  We work for peace, non-violence, and love as the only way to live 

    4.  ENVIRONMENTAL

From:  The earth and its resources are for me to use as I wish -- and I don't have to conserve anything
To:  I am mindful of ecology, and know that we need to preserve the air, earth, and water of this planet

    5.  PHILOSOPHICAL/INTELLECTUAL

From:  There is a scarcity of resources and I must take anything I need
To:  There is an abundance of resources --enough for everyone to share.  I am committed to sharing.

From:  We are separate and competing with each other 
To:  We are all one, sacred and loving, peaceful and connected

From:  I know everything I need to know
To:  I am always open to learning new ideas and growing