Chapter 1: The Surge of Self-Declared Experts

An extraordinary rise in intellectual capacity across the United States has left scientists and educators globally in a state of confusion. A professor from Sweden, who prefers to remain anonymous due to concerns over backlash, noted, “It’s perplexing because Americans have historically been perceived as somewhat uninformed.” U.S. intelligence agencies are speculating whether this sudden shift might be the result of some foreign experiment.

Surprisingly, in a country where “the average American’s reading level is around the 7th to 8th grade,” there has been a remarkable surge in the number of individuals claiming to be Doctors, Sociologists, Epidemiologists, Historians, Climate Scientists, and Research Scientists over the past four years, despite no significant increase in college enrollment.

To attain a Ph.D. in epidemiology, a candidate typically invests between 2.5 to 5 years in postgraduate studies, which follows extensive undergraduate and graduate education. “In total, one might spend upwards of 15 years training to become a medical professional. If you embark on this journey immediately after high school, expect four years for your bachelor’s degree, four years in medical school, and up to seven years in residency,” the professor explained.

Becoming a research scientist requires a bachelor’s degree, generally taking four years, followed by a master’s degree that can be completed in two to three years, and finally a doctoral degree, which averages four to five years.

The Swedish educator argues that without a parallel increase in higher education enrollment, there seems to be no logical explanation for the millions of individuals who have suddenly achieved advanced degrees without traditional education or rigorous study.

Interestingly, this phenomenon coincides with a recent influx of balloons, which might explain the government’s rapid response in shooting them down. This situation raises suspicions.

It is plausible that some of these newly minted “experts” may not be entirely truthful. They might not possess the knowledge they purport to have, or they could be misrepresenting their qualifications for personal gain. Some individuals could be exploiting the naivety of the public, reminiscent of an old saying about “fleecing the rubes.” Or perhaps they are simply regular individuals trying to profit from the equally unprecedented gullibility of the American populace—an understandable tactic.

Section 1.1: The Era of Loud Voices

In this digital age, there is no shortage of loud voices on platforms like YouTube, podcasts, and Instagram. Many seem to believe that shouting their claims persistently will somehow validate their assertions, regardless of their grounding in reality.

The first video titled "I'm an epidemiologist" explores the role of epidemiologists and the importance of accurate information in public health discussions.

Some of these individuals have assumed the title of experts, not based on their knowledge, but rather through their ability to wave documents and assert that they “have the facts.”

As disheartening as this situation may be, credible sources indicate that it is likely to worsen.

Section 1.2: Future Perspectives

I personally await the moment when this façade collapses, leaving us to rely solely on our senses and discernment.

The second video, "What do epidemiologists do exactly?", delves into the actual work of epidemiologists, contrasting it with the misinformation prevalent in today’s media landscape.