The cast of the Jersey Shore rang the bell at the stock exchange yesterday.

Seriously.

I spent over 16 years of my life in school, studying multiplication tables, reading Dickens, dissecting small creatures and more in the hopes of honing my mind into something that could help me create a good life for myself.

And it worked, thankfully. I’m grateful for all that I’ve achieved in my life.

But who knew you didn’t need any of that unnecessary book learnin’ to make it happen? You just need a supersized ego and an unchecked id and you can be rich, famous and honored by one of the most famous and (for the most part) respected financial groups in the world.

I’m not being a snob here. I’ve watched and enjoyed shows like Jersey Shore, Real Housewives and The Real World for years.

They’re a great diversion. And if their influence ended there it would be fine.

But the anti-intellectual, anything I say is cool as long as I shout it loud enough attitude of these characters has seeped deeply into our culture.

Be stupid, but just do it with a great tan and ripped abs and you’re okay.

Be a douche, but just be sure your voice is loud and annoying enough to drown out any complaints.

I’d like to start a new ‘pro-intellectual’ movement in this country. Instead of being dismissed as ‘elitist’ or ‘mister smarty pants’, people who actually use their brains should be looked up to and respected. Someone who takes a moment to think before opening her mouth should be a role model.

We could even have a TV show that lets people stand proudly and let the world see just how intelligent they are.

Oh that’s right, we already have that show. It’s called ‘Are you smarter than a 5^th grader?’

- TJ Bennett