Jim, thanks for your answer. I was awaiting these types of answers.
Of course I am not talking about "embracing academic snobbery". Of course not!
These were just examples. I was talking about cultivating a different side of yourself. You don't have to quote Faulkner, you could write your own poems instead.
I know that this is a not so usual way to see things in the US, because it doesn't go together so well with the notion of materialism. But I think you you should give it a try. - At least a "30 day trial"... because "Steve is the master at this" and that is his own idea.
(Also, read more by Kerouac, you Dharma bum
. He has some great ideas.)