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Sources?
Links provided sources. Perhaps misunderstanding was mine? Methodology could hold flaws. However, multiple persistent studies hold this?
Ability to communicate in common language quite helpful generally. "Grade level" may be arbitrary, but some standard was required. Was it unclear on language used?
Some agreement on wider social issues as problems. Respectful disagreement on low "5th grade" literacy level being ok.
Generally, arguments to usefulness persuade me. Here, argument appears misapplied? Is this statement, "US is genuinely pretty okay on that front, and a 5-6th grade level is legitimately enough to interact with and understand most civil issues," true? Disagree, on definition, "usefulness," sufficiency (enough)."
Sadly, many assume "higher level" reading/writing is not useful or is quite wasteful. It seems you perhaps assume reading at a higher level is less useful and prevalent. Less prevalent, yes. Less useful, disagree. Done well, higher level reading/writing is very understandable; it is rarely done well, as doing so takes work, and good (rare) education. Perhaps the need and usefulness permits (in part) considering others' views in good faith, empathy, etc., which applied results in critical thinking and civil problem solving. If nothing else, it lowers the debate temperature (which is presently boiling and rising with insults in politics and beyond, unfortunately).
I respectfully contend increased language level helps resolve issues by seeing practical requirements and enabling solutions.
Two fight over an orange. One orange; two people; too bad. First, both think, "I get it." Eventually, they split it evenly.
The first eats his half and throws away the peel; the second wanted the peel for a cake. Result: half the fruit; half a peel.
Wiser option would have been talking, and giving one all the fruit and the other all the peel to satisfy both.
Examples abound. Farmer wants fence; rancher wants to drive cattle to pasture, but fence blocks. Conflict. Wiser result: a gate.
Interpersonal relationships alone are a massive application and the divorce rate is a huge consequence.
Summation, higher level reading/writing need not be impenetrable if done well. Many societal problems exist. Reading, writing, and thinking through problems, root causes, solutions and mechanism, benefits from higher level language/literacy. Practically, I've seen bad things play out and well, there's a reason it said "70% of inmates in the US prison system can't read above a 4th grade level." There could perhaps be study methodology flaws, but there is still a large literacy gap. Correlation does not equal causation, but I find it curious there is also an empathy gap among several others. I don't think it's right, or fair. I think being able to read helps generally. I don't know that the level we have is "sufficient," or that we shouldn't aim higher for everyone's benefit.
Your view is a fairly common one, but one I don't subscribe to. Increased reading level is increased tools available to use. I imagine you likely have reasons for what you say, perhaps based upon your experiences communicating knowledge to those only seeking it.
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Topic: AmeriPol thread (Read 4449885 times)