Once upon a time, intellectualism was measured by the depth of one’s knowledge, the ability to engage in thoughtful discourse, and a healthy dose of self-awareness.

Today, however, we live in an era where intelligence is often mistaken for the ability to shout the loudest in the virtual town square.

Welcome to social media—particularly Facebook—the ultimate landfill of intellectual fools.

Facebook, once envisioned as a digital utopia fostering human connection, has now become an intellectual purgatory where self-proclaimed experts reign supreme.

It is a place where every argument is won not by facts, logic, or reason but by sheer persistence, emotional blackmail, and the number of emojis used.

It is here that the so-called “intellectuals” congregate, eager to prove their superior wisdom, often without the slightest inclination to verify their claims.

The greatest irony of this digital age is that the loudest voices are not necessarily the wisest but the most persistent.

The ability to craft a well-researched argument is no longer a prerequisite for credibility. Instead, credibility is dictated by the number of followers, the shock value of one’s statements, and the algorithm’s blessing.

An individual who has spent years studying a subject is just as likely to be dismissed as the person who has skimmed a Wikipedia page ten minutes before posting a diatribe.

Social media has gifted every Tom, Dick, and Harriet a soapbox, and my word, do they use it!

From conspiracy theorists who believe the Earth is flat to self-styled life coaches who have not yet mastered their own lives, Facebook is the stage for intellectual theatre at its finest.

Opinions—however ill-informed—are presented as gospel, and dissenters are swiftly excommunicated from the court of popular opinion.

The greatest tragedy of this digital landfill is the erosion of nuance. The world is not black and white, yet Facebook discussions are reduced to binary choices: left or right, good or evil, for or against.

Thoughtful debate is drowned in an ocean of reactionary outrage. The comment section, which in a perfect world would be an arena for dialogue, instead resembles a battlefield where warriors armed with half-baked statistics and poorly sourced articles engage in combat.

Perhaps the most amusing yet depressing aspect of this phenomenon is the illusion of accomplishment.

The intellectual fool believes that typing furiously into the void equates to real-world change. They assume that by berating strangers in a thread or sharing a “woke” meme, they have fulfilled their civic duty.

Meanwhile, meaningful action—the sort that requires actual effort—remains neglected.

Of course, not all who engage in social media discourse are fools. Some genuinely seek knowledge, challenge their beliefs, and engage in constructive debate.

Yet, they are increasingly drowned out by the noise of those who mistake volume for validity. The true intellectual, weary of the circus, often retreats into silence, leaving the arena to the most persistent charlatans.

So, what is the solution? Should we all abandon Facebook, fleeing to the safety of books and real-life conversations Perhaps. But, if history has taught us anything, it is that fools are never truly vanquished; they merely adapt.

If not Facebook, they will find another arena—another dump yard—to spread their wisdom like confetti at a carnival.

In the end, it is up to us to navigate this digital wasteland with a discerning eye.

Let us remember that intelligence is not in how loudly one speaks but in the ability to listen, question, and evolve.

Until then, let the intellectual fools continue their parade, for what is social media without a bit of theatre?

ALSO READ: Why Posting Everything On Social Media Isn’t the Right Thing to Do