My chief concern with your essay, "Functional Illiteracy and American Discourse", is that its premise conflates several complex issues, presumes a one-sided audience, and arrives at a "how can we get 'the others' (stupid enough to support Trump's agenda as misrepresented by mainstream media) to come over to Kamala Harris' side." I am deeply concerned with functional illiteracy caused by all social media distractions in young people (and their teachers, and their teachers' teachers!), and yet I believe there's hope in the discourse. We all choose our facts based upon our own circumstances and interests. These change over time, and especially with added reading and experience. As one who has a couple Masters Degrees and 40 years with the academy, much international travel and teaching experience, extensive literary reading and writing life, grown successful children and grandchildren, I prize my hard-won experience.
"Our side" is a mistake in just about any essay intended to examine "the language" we use.
On the plus side, your essay has prompted me to get moving and write one in response. (This isn't it.)
I'd argue that the "silo-ed" self-selecting echo chambers we use are by far more terrifying than the Chinese collecting our data on Tiktok. The channeling of our discussions is the issue. The presumption that faith-based instruction is a negative is another. That you champion a Liz Cheney just shows me how young you are. It's ok. I was one of the people who helped indoctrinate from my far left viewpoint. I have faith that you will be open to learn from all sources and question them now. Think I'll work on some of my own selected facts for an essay this week.
And I agree with Donna, we do have to learn how to speak with one another. We have allowed ourselves to be manipulated into separate, either-or worldviews and groupthink.
I'm not an expert. I'm quick to admit this. I don't pretend to be an expert on most matters. I can claim levels of expertise in the literary community and, perhaps, proficiency in certain realms, working knowledge in others.
I'm most pleased that this has inspired you to write an essay.
I think we are on the same team insofar as echo chambers.
I'm not really intending to champion Liz Cheney. I don't think I'm alone in being excited (feels odd to write but feels true) that she is, in some respects, choosing to be on the right side of history. The excitement has to do with a shift away from her father. Many will recall the talk of Dick Cheney being the mastermind behind Bush's presidency. Sounds a lot like the way we're talking about Elon's actions. Dick Cheney stayed in the background or, at least, that is how it felt at the time. It seemed like he was guiding George W. That being said, it's interesting how the image of W. has shifted post-presidency. I know that presidents usually get a bump but some have really taken a softer view of him... and that's, well, concerning given his actions while in office. The Trump Effect. Bush did not threaten Democracy the way Trump is. That being said, thinking of the "WMDs" that never existed... TBD if Trump finds a dubious reason to start a war.
I carried signs against Bush and Congress’ rush to war in Iraq, and subsequent Patriot Act censorship, surveillance, and media manipulation, which has proceeded apace until Elon Musk’s purchase of Twitter. Recent revelations about the vast payments to mainstream and biased media to shape the narrative, and thus our views, remind me of how lucky we are that we still have more than one “side” to consider. The majority of people in this country voted for Trump’s agenda, including his declaration he’d enlist Musk’s services in DOGE. Principles over personalities. Issues over presentation style. My essay will be long, and my first draft barely readable!
Nevertheless, it proceeds standing on the shoulders of highly respected sources. Little by little. Many interruptions in my life presently. It’s on its way, though. Thanks for the kickstart!
This is so completely true. I had never thought of it this way. But it does help me to understand how a person like Trump could stay viable....his appeal...which I always found utterly implausible. But the example used, the one about the masculine feminist , was an eye opening example. How words that definitions are clear, that those who know those definitions take for granted as understood, could be exactly the wrong choice. Thank you so much for writing this. I'm excited you wrote this.
This is such a good piece and you make so many important points. Everyone is on their phone scrolling through TicTok instead of connecting and engaging—adults too. We have to find ways to talk to each other and I do think it’s on us, the left, to consider the words we use.
What a terrific essay. We have got to figure out how to speak to speak to one another.
I wish I had answers.
me too!
My chief concern with your essay, "Functional Illiteracy and American Discourse", is that its premise conflates several complex issues, presumes a one-sided audience, and arrives at a "how can we get 'the others' (stupid enough to support Trump's agenda as misrepresented by mainstream media) to come over to Kamala Harris' side." I am deeply concerned with functional illiteracy caused by all social media distractions in young people (and their teachers, and their teachers' teachers!), and yet I believe there's hope in the discourse. We all choose our facts based upon our own circumstances and interests. These change over time, and especially with added reading and experience. As one who has a couple Masters Degrees and 40 years with the academy, much international travel and teaching experience, extensive literary reading and writing life, grown successful children and grandchildren, I prize my hard-won experience.
"Our side" is a mistake in just about any essay intended to examine "the language" we use.
On the plus side, your essay has prompted me to get moving and write one in response. (This isn't it.)
I'd argue that the "silo-ed" self-selecting echo chambers we use are by far more terrifying than the Chinese collecting our data on Tiktok. The channeling of our discussions is the issue. The presumption that faith-based instruction is a negative is another. That you champion a Liz Cheney just shows me how young you are. It's ok. I was one of the people who helped indoctrinate from my far left viewpoint. I have faith that you will be open to learn from all sources and question them now. Think I'll work on some of my own selected facts for an essay this week.
And I agree with Donna, we do have to learn how to speak with one another. We have allowed ourselves to be manipulated into separate, either-or worldviews and groupthink.
I'm not an expert. I'm quick to admit this. I don't pretend to be an expert on most matters. I can claim levels of expertise in the literary community and, perhaps, proficiency in certain realms, working knowledge in others.
I'm most pleased that this has inspired you to write an essay.
I think we are on the same team insofar as echo chambers.
I'm not really intending to champion Liz Cheney. I don't think I'm alone in being excited (feels odd to write but feels true) that she is, in some respects, choosing to be on the right side of history. The excitement has to do with a shift away from her father. Many will recall the talk of Dick Cheney being the mastermind behind Bush's presidency. Sounds a lot like the way we're talking about Elon's actions. Dick Cheney stayed in the background or, at least, that is how it felt at the time. It seemed like he was guiding George W. That being said, it's interesting how the image of W. has shifted post-presidency. I know that presidents usually get a bump but some have really taken a softer view of him... and that's, well, concerning given his actions while in office. The Trump Effect. Bush did not threaten Democracy the way Trump is. That being said, thinking of the "WMDs" that never existed... TBD if Trump finds a dubious reason to start a war.
Re: Bush
I carried signs against Bush and Congress’ rush to war in Iraq, and subsequent Patriot Act censorship, surveillance, and media manipulation, which has proceeded apace until Elon Musk’s purchase of Twitter. Recent revelations about the vast payments to mainstream and biased media to shape the narrative, and thus our views, remind me of how lucky we are that we still have more than one “side” to consider. The majority of people in this country voted for Trump’s agenda, including his declaration he’d enlist Musk’s services in DOGE. Principles over personalities. Issues over presentation style. My essay will be long, and my first draft barely readable!
Nevertheless, it proceeds standing on the shoulders of highly respected sources. Little by little. Many interruptions in my life presently. It’s on its way, though. Thanks for the kickstart!
my grandfather’s high school math books were equivalent of third year college texts.
This is so completely true. I had never thought of it this way. But it does help me to understand how a person like Trump could stay viable....his appeal...which I always found utterly implausible. But the example used, the one about the masculine feminist , was an eye opening example. How words that definitions are clear, that those who know those definitions take for granted as understood, could be exactly the wrong choice. Thank you so much for writing this. I'm excited you wrote this.
Ditto, Sara! I was also baffled by the recent election & learned from Mark's example of masculine feminism.
TY, Mark, for such good content. As a writing teacher to teenagers, I'm happily fired up. :)
The Youth really needs good mentors right now.
"The Youth" as a collective noun might explain the awkward sub/verb sound.
I'd have gone with "Our young people need good mentors right now."
Pick pick, as Anne Lamott said to me recently!
I just get a kick out of calling them "The Youth"... Probably funny due to proximity.
Thank you, Sara! I'm glad to hear this feels helpful.
This is such a good piece and you make so many important points. Everyone is on their phone scrolling through TicTok instead of connecting and engaging—adults too. We have to find ways to talk to each other and I do think it’s on us, the left, to consider the words we use.