I’m talking about derogatory terms like “nerd,” “geek,” “wise-ass,” and so on, as well as sayings like “nobody likes a smart aleck.”

It seems to me that these terms and expressions are used much more frequently in the business world than derogatory terms like “show-off,” “charlatan,” “fraud,” and so on.

I can’t even think of a commonly used saying for the latter. Only: “Fake it till you make it,” which is really more of a reinforcement of the idea that knowledge isn’t very valuable.

Is it just my impression?

  • trackball_fetish@lemmy.wtf
    4·
    11 days ago

    Its something I’ve thought about and experienced myself and I think the reasons are…

    • envy (lack of knowledge, skill or intelligence)
    • they see it as a threat (often obsessed with dominating others, machismo)
    • the answer or solution proposed is correct but detrimental to their objective or goals, even if said goals are incorrect or cause damage
    • sometimes they’re too stupid to understand, and it needs to be dumbed down to normie speak
    • sometimes smart people are assholes, either intentionally (guilty of this) or unintentionally (not understanding social norms, offering information when its not requested, etc. also guilty of this)