Authors: Andrew Klein & Sera Elizabeth Klein

Inspired By: Kilee Smorgasbord, MA, PMP, CLAMP, CPHR, CID, and Other Letters That May or May Not Mean Something

Dedication: To those who have more acronyms than insights.

Abstract

This paper examines the rise of what we term Performative Credentialism—the practice of accumulating certifications, designations, and affiliations primarily for social signaling rather than for genuine expertise. Drawing on sociological theory, behavioral economics, and LinkedIn analytics, we argue that the modern credentialist is driven by a deep-seated need for external validation, often at the expense of substantive knowledge. We further explore the phenomenon of acronym inflation, where the sheer volume of letters after a name becomes inversely proportional to the holder’s ability to contribute meaningfully to a field.

1. Introduction: The Rise of the Alphabet Class

In the age of LinkedIn, the competition for attention has extended beyond job titles to include post-nominal letters. Once reserved for advanced academic degrees, these letters now encompass a bewildering array of certifications, often offered by private entities with little oversight. The result is a new class of professionals—the Alphabet Class—whose primary qualification is their ability to accumulate letters after their name.

2. Literature Review

While studies on credentialism have focused on systemic inequality and access to education, few have examined the performative aspect—where credentials are used to obscure a lack of depth. The work of Collins (1979) on educational credentialism provides a foundation, but the explosion of online certifications in the 21st century demands a new framework.

3. Acronym Inflation and Its Discontents

Acronym inflation occurs when the number of designations a person holds exceeds their actual field of expertise. This is particularly evident in fields such as human resources, project management, and life coaching, where certification programs are often sold as commodities to individuals seeking to “stand out.” The result is a system where the appearance of expertise is prioritized over its substance.

4. The Kilee Smorgasbord Archetype

The archetype of the Performative Credentialist can be understood through the case study of one Kilee Smorgasbord—a composite figure representing the modern credentialist. With over seventeen acronyms after her name, Kilee is an expert in… well, acronym acquisition. Her value lies not in what she can do, but in what her letters appear to signify. She is a walking advertisement for the marketization of knowledge.

5. Consequences of Performative Credentialism

· Erosion of Trust: When every professional has a wall of letters, trust becomes diluted. The public can no longer discern genuine expertise from performative signaling.

· Devaluation of Real Expertise: Those who spend years acquiring deep knowledge are often eclipsed by those who spend weeks acquiring certifications.

· The Death of Genuine Conversation: In the age of acronyms, discourse is replaced by credentialism as a defense mechanism. Any challenge to a credentialist is met with a wall of letters, rather than a coherent argument.

6. Conclusion

Performative credentialism is not just an individual failing; it is a symptom of a wider cultural sickness—the fetishization of measurable achievement over genuine wisdom. Until we learn to value what people know over what they have on their résumé, the Alphabet Class will continue to flourish.

References

· Collins, R. (1979). The Credential Society. Academic Press.

· Bourdieu, P. (1986). “The Forms of Capital.” In Handbook of Theory and Research for the Sociology of Education.

· Smorgasbord, K. (2023). Acronyms: The Art of Appearing Expert. Self-published on LinkedIn.