Summary Of Hidden Intellectualism By Gerald Graff

In the essay “Hidden Intellectualism” by Gerald Graff he discusses the difference between “book smarts” and “street smarts” as they pertain to intellectualism (Tannen & Graff:2010 p.198). We are taught that being street smart means to have the knowledge to handle difficult or dangerous situations in life, and that being book smart means that you are well educated academically. Graff explains how schools and colleges may be at fault for not channeling such street smarts into academic work. We do not consider that one of the major reasons why colleges and schools overlook the intellectual potential of street smarts, is the fact we associate street smarts with anti-intellectual concerns. He proceeds to explain how students do not need to read challenging writings to become intellectual themselves. Graff theorizes that if the students are encouraged

If street smarts are more important than book smarts then why do we even go to school and learn, or even get degrees? The answers simple, street smarts triumph book smarts in many different aspects on a daily basis. When it comes down to getting a job done, do you think of the best solutions to get it done and use your past experiences to do it or do you just remember an article you read to get it done? Working in the work force with several different jobs you rely on previous experiences or knowledge to get the job done. Using your street smarts is something that you need everyday. There are a select few areas where you use your book smarts everyday and rely on just that. Just because street smarts are more important than book smarts does not mean that books smarts are no longer important. You need to be able to have the understanding of book smarts to be able to help apply your street smarts. They work side by side in life. Below are several examples of how street smarts triumph book smarts in real life