Again, I really really liked this article.
What scared me was that nearly a third of the nation’s population is illiterate or barely literate and that their numbers are growing by an estimated 2 million a year. Also, I could barely believe that a third of high school graduates, along with 42 percent of college graduates, never read a book after they finish school and that eighty percent of the families in the United States last year did not buy a book (I'm assuming ebooks count.
Well, I guess we're SOL.
Hedge describes the public as easily persuadable by pictures, entertainment, and culture. He says that we are a culture who cannot think on our own. We're part of a governing system in which it is "style and story, not content or history or reality, which inform our politics and our lives". What I thought was interesting evidence to Hedge's argument was the presidential debate comprehension levels. They are so low (sixth grade level) because most Americans "speak, think and are entertained at this level."
He basically defines literacy as being able to read and process what you are reading. He goes further to describe a "literate" America as being one in which the citizens can "actively think for themselves, draw independent conclusions, express dissent when judgment and common sense indicate something is wrong, be self-critical, challenge authority, understand historical facts, separate truth from lies, advocate for change and acknowledge that there are other views, different ways of being, that are morally and socially acceptable."
Hedge brought up a subject that I had not previously considered as one that is affected by America's literacy problem: the arts. He says that illiteracy is the reason why "serious film and theater and other serious artistic expression, as well as newspapers and books, are being pushed to the margins of American society". For example, "Voltaire was the most famous man of the 18th century. Today the most famous “person” is Mickey Mouse". This makes me sad. Who is going to be the most famous person during my kids' lives, or my grandchildren's lives?? Please don't tell me the Kardashians are still going to be around!!
In conclusion, entertainment and modern culture is our escape from the real America, the illiterate, Google-stupid, blind America. I saw numerous connections between the Google article and this one. Primarily, they are both about how Americans cannot think for themselves. We need other commercialized services to do the thinking for us because it's too hard. We're easily persuaded and distracted by shiny things. Goodbye, real,, genuine thoughts, hello ADD.
I thought the last sentence was a little off, and did not relate to the article as a whole. Yes, Obama used millions of dollars in his campaign fund to manipulate the masses.... so did all of the other candidates. I thought that Hedge could have used a better conclusion than the oh boy, is the President going to be sorry one.
I think this is the best line:
"We confuse how we feel with knowledge."
It seems to describe America perfectly, myself included.
Liked the structure of your post! Not only did you enjoy it, but you seemed to connect with what Hedges was saying (as do I) with the "We confuse how we fell with knowledge."
ReplyDeleteI really liked that final quote, too. I didn't give it as much attention when I first read Hedges's article. But seeing it in your post, it seems to capture something.
ReplyDeleteI think there is some truth and significance in how we feel, maybe some knowledge, too, but that certainly shouldn't be the end of knowing.