Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

buzzycrumbhunger

(1,551 posts)
Mon Dec 8, 2025, 07:19 PM 5 hrs ago

The Deliberate Dumbing Down of America

I’ve referenced the book with this title before, and here’s further proof it’s been working… (Here’s a link to the book on the Internet Archives to read for free: https://archive.org/details/pdfy-SYN9t0cHh1aFu8XV/mode/2up )

“More than half of American adults read below a sixth-grade level…”

https://www.investigatetv.com/2025/12/01/more-than-half-american-adults-read-below-sixth-grade-level/

"The number of American adults who read below a sixth-grade level is at its highest point ever, creating what experts call a “silent crisis” that affects the economy, health care and communities nationwide.

More than 50% of American adults read below the equivalent of a sixth-grade reading level, according to Andrew Roberts, president of the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy.”

"Adults with low-level literacy skills face significant disadvantages when voting, according to a study published in the Journal of Learning Disabilities.

The study examined the 2022 state elections and found 39% of adults had completed high school or less, yet 74% of ballots were written well above the high school level.”

JFC, we really are fucked, and it’s going to take several lifetimes to undo the damage from the damned Tea Party to the brain-dead MAGAts. How do we even fix this, when the entire MAGA cult thinks education is a farce?

2 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
The Deliberate Dumbing Down of America (Original Post) buzzycrumbhunger 5 hrs ago OP
Due to the arrival of the digital age and new technologies anciano 4 hrs ago #1
"ballots were written" - often deliberately confusing. Questions written so that 'yes' means disapproval. Norrrm 4 hrs ago #2

anciano

(2,097 posts)
1. Due to the arrival of the digital age and new technologies
Mon Dec 8, 2025, 07:43 PM
4 hrs ago

such as the internet and AI, our ways of thinking, processing knowledge and interacting with information are rapidly evolving. So perhaps the traditional methods of measuring literacy need to evolve as well? Just a thought....🤔

Norrrm

(3,715 posts)
2. "ballots were written" - often deliberately confusing. Questions written so that 'yes' means disapproval.
Mon Dec 8, 2025, 08:32 PM
4 hrs ago
Latest Discussions»General Discussion»The Deliberate Dumbing Do...