Acharya Prashant responds to a question from a doctor who observes that knowledge-based professions like doctors and teachers are losing respect in society, while entertainers and influencers are gaining immense popularity. The questioner highlights the mistreatment of doctors, even after their sacrifices during the pandemic, and asks for the reason behind this societal shift. Acharya Prashant explains that the questioner has already identified the core issue: the respect for knowledge in society is rapidly declining. He elaborates by presenting two ways to define a human being. The first, lower-level definition is body-based, defining a person by their physical tendencies like eating, sleeping, and walking—actions common to animals. The second, higher-level definition is consciousness-based, defining a person by their ability to think, understand, and possess knowledge. Humans are a combination of both these aspects. He argues that it is easier and more natural for people to perceive others on the physical, bodily level. We are inherently drawn to lower-level, physical, and mindless things, much like animals. This attraction is a default state that requires no effort. Conversely, being drawn towards knowledge requires conscious effort and hard work. When a society begins to reward and glorify these lower, populist, and frivolous pursuits—such as those of influencers and entertainers—with respect and money, it inevitably devalues knowledge. The entire society then starts valuing cheap and superficial things over substance. Acharya Prashant concludes that this trend is a broad social phenomenon with severe consequences. A society that does not value knowledge, and instead rewards superficiality, will become increasingly animalistic and will have to suffer the repercussions. He points to a fundamental flaw in modern education, which has failed to teach people to value knowledge. When a society stops valuing knowledge, it cannot progress.