Why does every 20-something think they're secretly a philosopher?

This Substack blog post by Ri explores the phenomenon of twenty-somethings adopting a "philosopher" persona online. The author critiques the trend of intellectualism being commodified, with individuals overanalyzing simple concepts and engaging in self-important pronouncements. The piece argues that this behavior stems from a fear of being unimportant, a desire for validation, and a need to be seen as intellectually deep in a digital world where identity is heavily curated. Despite recognizing the irony, the author ultimately concludes that the essay itself, while critiquing the trend, ironically participates in it.