Too smart to read books - dumbest quote of the year runnerup

I was thinking … can we have a winner of the dumbest things ever said on camera in February? We might already have it, from the self-certified “macho man” Andrew Tate.

Now I was browsing the web looking for new things to read and add to my Goodreads profile and I stumbled about a short video from the self declared specialist in all things, Andrew Tate, which starts with the quote “I am too smart to read“ and is followed up by “reading books is a very cheap way to entertainment. Because my brain is far too advanced”.

Now as an avid reader, that made me cringe so bad that I honestly had problems organizing my thoughts in writing this article. Taking aside the part where that idea is one of the most stupid things I have heard in a while, let’s talk about this idea that he promoted that books are slow and in order to succeed in life you need speed.

We live in a world that seems to rely on speed only and for someone who has problems seeing more than the surface, it might be the right way to do things. No need for deeper understanding of how things work, in reading the classics and expanding our horizon and imagination with a good book because everything needs to go fast. This is a false, and due to the audience hearing this, a dangerous presumption to start your adult life. This idea was complemented from our very intelligent self made genius with statements that higher education is overrated and should be skipped entirely.

I have read a book recently “The millionaire next door“ from Thomas J, Stanley which demotes, abide not in a 1 min video but in 250 pages based on research and facts, the part with the persons who are the least loud are also the most rich. It explains how the millionaires that are “living the high life” are not at the same level of wealth compared with the more quiet persons who are silently building wealth every day. The reason is simple. In order to “live the high life“ you need to impress people you don’t like with buying things you don’t need. The true wealthy man knows that the flashy life presented by the Tate brothers is not the key to success.

Nevertheless, I was thinking, it is something necessary for the Tate persona as controversy is the only thing keeping them relevant. It is a dangerous trait, as the taught lessons resonate with the undeveloped brain of teenagers around the world. I understand that at a certain age, the flashy lifestyle and promotion of bad understood manliness would seem very “cool”. Now this will change with aging process but we should be careful what message we send to the next generation.

Coming back to reading books, and his juvenile example “and the pirate on the boat“ given. It shows that fact that the only reference which he can give is using children books. Might be a reference to Moby Dick, but I doubt it … The fact that he is unable to sit down and enjoy a good book learning or simply reflecting on what the author put into words makes me a bit sad. Where would we be without books? Every totalitarian regime tried to firstly erase or modify the books, knowing that controlling the information means controlling the narrative. And in 2026 we have Andrew, who states that books are irrelevant … shows the ignorance of a man who’s only interest is his own person.

Reading books is instrumental for a developing society because it builds the foundation of critical thinking, empathy, and informed decision-making. Through reading, we learn not only facts, but also how to analyze ideas, question assumptions, and understand perspectives beyond our own experience—skills essential for innovation, responsible citizenship, and social cohesion. For younger generations especially, developing the habit of reading strengthens language, concentration, and creativity while reducing dependence on shallow, fast-consumed information. A society that teaches its children to read deeply is a society that invests in smarter workers, more thoughtful leaders, and more connected communities, ensuring long-term cultural, economic, and democratic growth.

And that can only be achieved by learning how to counter all the “alpha animals“ on our planet which promote dangerous messages for our new generations, while giving 0 interest except for it’s own person.

Until next time, TFG