A wave of TikTok users are attempting to fight their smartphone addictions by diving headfirst into classic literature, philosophy, and art, in a movement dubbed 'disgustingly educated'. The trend, which promotes swapping endless scrolling for deep cultural engagement, highlights a growing desire to step away from the 'always on' digital culture.
What Does 'Disgustingly Educated' Mean?
The concept centres on expanding one's cultural knowledge through consuming 'high-brow' content, from novels by authors like Oscar Wilde to non-fiction essays and classic cinema. Proponents stress it is driven by keen curiosity rather than formal academic pursuit. The trend has spawned hundreds of videos where creators share book recommendations and their personal journeys.
One such creator, Catherine Smith (@catherinejuliasmith), told Metro she turned to the trend after growing weary of her phone habit. A single video of hers detailing the books she read garnered 710,000 views in just one week. She credits the practice with improving her attention span, vocabulary, and critical thinking.
'It also helps me wind down, especially in the evenings,' Catherine explained. Her recommendations range from philosophical works to self-help guides, which she believes boosted her emotional intelligence. She has now expanded her content to include Substack articles and journaling tips, all aimed at helping people become more well-rounded and spend less time on screens.
The Backlash and The Bigger Picture
However, the trend has not been universally praised. Some critics on social media have labelled it 'performative', arguing it focuses more on the aesthetic of being seen as educated than on the genuine pursuit of knowledge. One commentator questioned whether participants were discovering cultural artefacts they truly enjoyed or were merely following an algorithm's curated list.
Catherine defends a broader interpretation. 'The term shouldn't be used as something that makes you elite,' she said. 'It should be more of a journey you take yourself on. It's kind of a lifelong commitment to learning.'
The trend is part of a larger shift towards 'analogue' activities, including using iPods, digital cameras, and even writing letters to maintain friendships. Catherine herself is exploring the latter, seeing it as a way to foster deeper emotional connections away from instant messaging.
Impact on Publishing and Lasting Value
Rooted in BookTok—TikTok's massive literary community—the trend emerges as research suggests modern bestsellers are adopting simpler, faster-paced writing to suit declining attention spans. Chris Banks, CEO of ProWritingAid, which conducted the study, noted that 'attention is the new gatekeeper of publishing.'
Yet, he praised the 'disgustingly educated' movement for encouraging people to step outside their comfort zones. 'Anyone can download a classic, and that is incredibly equalising,' Banks stated. He added that such reading can offer valuable new perspectives, citing how reading Sheryl Sandberg provided him with insight into women's experiences in the tech industry.
Ultimately, whether viewed as a genuine intellectual pursuit or a narrow, trend-driven performance, the 'disgustingly educated' phenomenon has sparked a significant conversation about how we consume content and connect with each other in the digital age. Its true success in curing phone addiction, however, may be a personal journey each user must undertake themselves.
