<p>Hmm… I think I’ll ease my way into the conversation here.</p>
<p>I’ve noticed a lot of discussion about intellectuals and the “name-dropping” that they do. Most people seem to disapprove of it, perhaps even resent it a bit.</p>
<p>A few of my friends are like that too. Sometimes, they’d reference people that I’ve never heard of or haven’t a clue about their philosophies and accomplishments. </p>
<p>But I never got the feeling that this “name-dropping” was meant to be excluding me out, or to create a feeling of superiority for them.</p>
<p>Instead, I realized that “name-dropping” was almost a way of inclusion, as if to say: yes, I accept you as a kindred spirit.</p>
<p>See, all groups of people have their own language. </p>
<p>For instance, doctors probably make obscure med jokes amongst themselves, politicians might have their own form of communication, and musicians have yet another method. But the point is that within their respective groups, there is a unique language that the group shares and that encompasses most of their experiences.</p>
<p>Those that I consider intellectuals are, without a doubt, intelligent. But more often than not, due to their intellectual curiosity, they are well read and do know the philosophy of Kant. This is the world that they’re in, the group that they’re a part of. And thus, the language that they speak reflects the focus of the group. </p>
<p>And so, when I’m having a great conversation with an intellectual friend, and she happens to name-drop someone I don’t know, I know that it isn’t for any ignoble motive or anything. It’s as if they’ve included me into their world, at least for a little while and have eased into the language of the intellectual. </p>
<p>All I do is smile, and ask them to explain further.</p>