What exactly does it mean to be an intellectual? Are you a STEM

It's kind of a social category, in that they propose solutions for societal problems within a certain ideological framework.

All you need to be one is for others to call you one (i.e. wank).

>>2270600
To use one's intellect professionally. Yes. No. No. No. No. Yes.

>>2270642
So must self-professed keyboard intellectuals aren't anything of the sort?

In my view an intellectual is anybody who has an interest in certain fields far beyond that of an ordinary person. It's not necessarily about being incredibly smart or being incredibly widely read, it's more just having the interest beyond a mere cursory level.

If someone couldn't read an academic level work then that'd would likely exclude then though.

>>2270657
I would argue that they may be 'intellectual', but not 'an intellectual'.

>>2270667
that's a pretty good point man

basically people who try to propose ideas to fix things. instead of being pragmatic, they try to solve shit philosophically. Ironically they've probably caused way more harm (communism, facism) than good.