Please freepmail me if you want on/off this list
Posted on 07/02/2010 11:48:13 AM PDT by NYer
I would comment on this, but it’s like this, the dude just used way to many words in his article. Couldn’t he just like, you know, draw us a picture or something.
Literacy may no longer necessary for most employers and workers. Punching a little picture of a hamburger on a computer screen renders verbal skills unnecessary. In addition, they can vote by pushing little pictures of “The Divine One” holding his arms out wide in forgiveness.
I think the damage was done on purpose. You cannot rule a nation of smart, articulate, self-reliant people. And since some people dearly want to rule over others, the decision mas made to destroy our ability to resist manipulation.
Its hilarious.
Similar damage done in all math areas with the “learning by the calculator” method.
“We need exercises in spelling, grammar, style, ...”
My pet peeve: Typed communication without any capitalization. Amazingly lazy, and rude to the recipient. I have a cousin, and also a friend, who sent emails that way and I quit responding — mainly because I refused to muddle through the lower-case mess and even read the messages. Finally, when they asked why I never replied, I told them. They’ve re-discovered the “shift” key.
Prof. Grassl has written truly and with great insight to the ultimate result of “whatever” and “you know what I meant even if I didn’t spell it correctly” that comes from texting speak or other such language laziness. Yet the masses, even on FR, wail and gnash their keyboards at “spelling/grammar Nazis” who try to show how error in correctly expressing oneself can create an impression of poor thinking skills.
I might add, **and with parents and other adults who accept slovenly language (and use it themselves).**
The there and their errors I'll lay/lie at the feet of Mr. Bill Gates and his spell check machine.
And some folks like it that way.
My daughters were shocked when I blocked their phones’ text messaging function. I had repeatedly asked that they communicate with me by using complete sentences and correct spelling. They soon realized I was serious.
And the renaming of history, geography, economics, and civics into "Social Studies."
she thinks its funny - I think it's sad!
To me it’s simple. People have different priorities nowadays.
People used to think it important to be logical, intelligent, to show one’s culture. To self-examine by means of good literature and philosophy, including religion. It takes time to learn to speak well, write well, improve one’s mind.
But nowadays it’s important to have a good time. Things simply aren’t sought after if they don’t give us something we want. Everything in our culture tells us that.
Double-plus ungood Newspeak!
Ping for later
I’m beginning to think this is by design as well. I’m well into middle age and returned to school a few years back in an education program. I find it astonishing what is advocated in the classroom. Some new methods are very good; others are not. And yes, I really do think that it’s probably by design. If we’re right, then it’s chilling.
“Loss of language among the younger population — that is to say, the ability to formulate and enunciate properly constructed sentences that reflect clear thought — is growing at a staggering rate in the United States.”
Understatement! (Along with the loss of accurate history from a cause and effect standpoint, loss of the will to advance in science and math, LOSS of an appreciation for responsibility and self-discipline...ad nauseum.)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.