it's very frustrating seeing otherwise well-structured posts about media literacy and critical thinking bookended with statements about "nowadays", "nobody has literacy anymore", "this generation is so anti-intellectual", and the like, unquestioningly falling into better past fallacies.
Do we really think the 80s and its Satanic Panic were better at critical thinking? what about the 40s? the Victorian era? societies have always had problems with critical thinking and literacy, because most societies have dealt with propaganda, corrupt leadership, difficulty providing education (due to poverty or discrimination or other issues), and/or people who resist critical thinking (due to privilege or circumstance or what have you). we can criticize media trends without pulling a "well back in the GOOD OLD DAYS" about it.
Also let’s noooot talk down to people with low literacy skills, okay? You have absolutely no idea what led them to that. None of my grandparents could read past a maybe third grade level, because by the time they were 10 they had to work on the farm full time. My mom got pregnant at 14 and was pulled out of school. When my dad was 15, his parents left the state without him, so he had to get a job and quit school. Not everyone is lucky enough to have good parents and good teachers and community resources and all the other things that go into high literacy rates.
If you are really concerned about this, there are ways to help! Your local library may have adult literacy/computer skills classes, and they are often looking for volunteers! Local schools may have opportunities for you to work as a reading tutor. You could start a Little Free Library in an underserved community that needs the extra reading materials. Fundraise for your local learning centers. Attend public library board meetings. There is so much you can do!
Yes, thank you! Youth homelessness exist. Childhood refugees exist. Cognitive disabilities ad learning disabilities exist. Memory loss, brain fog and brain damage exist.
And let's not forget that most people on the English language internet are not communicating in their first language.
'Literacy' isn't something everyone can just get by 'putting in the work'. Fuck that 'pull yourself up by your bootstraps' nonsense and get a little less ableist about literacy right now.
