I've noted that many of us have been commenting about the events in the US. There is so much discussion nowadays about misinformation but less about the connection between it and education. I just read the alarming statistic that "Approximately 50% of Americans read so poorly that they are unable to perform simple tasks such as reading prescription drug labels." This is a sad state of affairs and I truly hope that somehow, some day, that the common sense of teaching people how to read is recognized as a cornerstone for a healthy society and key to combatting misinformation. Because being able to read means you can comprehend your own language and how words are being used. It brings to mind a quote from Ursula K. Le Guin, one of my favourite writers:
“Socrates said, 'The misuse of language induces evil in the soul.' He wasn’t talking about grammar. To misuse language is to use it the way politicians and advertisers do, for profit, without taking responsibility for what the words mean. Language used as a means to get power or make money goes wrong: it lies. Language used as an end in itself, to sing a poem or tell a story, goes right, goes towards the truth. A writer is a person who cares what words mean, what they say, how they say it. Writers know words are their way towards truth and freedom, and so they use them with care, with thought, with fear, with delight. By using words well they strengthen their souls. Story-tellers and poets spend their lives learning that skill and art of using words well. And their words make the souls of their readers stronger, brighter, deeper.”
Very interesting! I can’t decide if it is reassuring that the misuse of language was a matter of concern for Socrates, meaning it is not solely a current issue, or deeply concerning that over all these millennia, we have been unwilling or unable to address the issue and hold leaders to account for using language to gain power. Certainly, this speaks to how important our educators are.
Politicians use language and words as knives to obtain submission. I think I read this morning that 50% of those who voted for Trump do not follow the news. Sad and devastating!
That’s a sad statistic but I’m sure it’s something shared across the voter population in many democratic countries. Equally sad is is that so many reputable news sources are struggling to survive.