The rebellion of the humanist students: "We are tired of so much immediacy, we are thirsty for the search for meaning"

A growing movement among young professionals and students in Spain has sparked a quiet yet powerful rebellion against the fast-paced, productivity-driven culture dominating modern life. Known as El Despertar, or "The Awakening", this phenomenon reflects a deepening dissatisfaction with the relentless pursuit of immediate results and material success. At its heart is Jorge Maestro, a 36-year-old former architect who left his lucrative job in Qatar to pursue a more meaningful path. Now designing artistic chess pieces, Maestro describes himself as “an unhappy person” who felt disconnected from the artificial world of luxury housing projects. He says he was drawn back to Madrid not just for personal reasons, but because he believed there were others like him, youthful, restless, and searching for purpose beyond the standard career trajectory. Maestro is one of the students enrolled in Thenomba, an online school founded by two graduates known as Los Otros Javis. The platform offers daily 15-minute video lectures led by philosophers, writers, scientists, historians, and artists. It positions itself as an alternative to traditional education systems, offering a curriculum focused on self-discovery rather than professional advancement. The school’s philosophy echoes the sentiments of many young Spaniards who feel alienated by the pressures of corporate life. “We’re tired of immediacy,” Maestro says. “We want to search for meaning.” This sentiment is shared by a generation increasingly disillusioned with the traditional career paths once considered stable and secure. Many have witnessed friends and peers rushing into high-paying jobs in sectors like finance or consulting, often at the expense of personal fulfillment. Javier Fernández, one of the founders of Thenomba, recalls how, after university, his friends shifted from reading books to chasing promotions within large firms. “They wanted to climb up to the top floor of Deloitte,” he explains. In response, Los Otros Javis launched Thinkglaos, a series of informal gatherings modeled after TEDx talks, where participants can engage in philosophical discussions over beer and pizza. These events aim to foster reflection and connection, away from the cold efficiency of corporate training programs. The rise of Thenomba coincides with a surge in enrollment for philosophy degrees across Spanish public universities. In Madrid’s Complutense University, the cutoff score for admission rose from 5.940 to 6.373, while in Seville, it climbed from 5 to 7.353. Similar trends are observed in other institutions, including Santiago de Compostela, Oviedo, Murcia, and the Autonomous University of Barcelona. This shift suggests a broader cultural realignment, with students seeking intellectual depth over vocational utility. Alongside this, universities are introducing interdisciplinary postgraduate programs that blend philosophy, critical thinking, and anthropology. Examples include the Master’s in Digital Humanities at the Polytechnic University of Valencia, the Master’s in Human Condition and Transcendence at Comillas, and the Master’s in Philosophy of Care at the University of Girona. Parallel to these academic developments, some universities have adopted the Grand Books Program, an educational model inspired by Columbia University. This program emphasizes the study of foundational texts through discussion and analysis, aiming to cultivate critical thinking and a deeper understanding of human experience. These initiatives reflect a growing recognition that knowledge should not merely serve economic functions but also enrich personal and collective identity. For Maestro, the journey has been both transformative and challenging. He admits feeling overwhelmed by the rapid pace of technological change, particularly the impact of artificial intelligence. “Many people feel surpassed and lost,” he says. “We are very disconnected from our essence.” Yet, through his studies, he has found a renewed sense of self. “I’ve come to know myself better,” he adds. As the movement gains momentum, it signals a broader societal shift, one that values introspection over output, meaning over metrics. Whether this trend will lead to lasting institutional changes or remain a niche interest remains to be seen. But for now, the voices of those calling for a return to thoughtful engagement with the world continue to grow louder.