America the Illiterate

That was harsh. As Hedge stated the statistics of illiterate Americans, I couldn't help but feel myself falling into that category. Even as I write this post, I feel as if I must prove that I can indeed write and read at a sufficient level. I could fill this paragraph with lengthy words and wise anecdotes, however my style of writing doesn't constitute of that. I write like I talk, with essentially basic words learned in grade school. Even though I know origins and meanings of impressive words, I don't include them in my general writing because I see no place for them, or I don't take the time to find one. I didn't buy a book last year, and I don't analyze the world from a thoughtful perspective all the time. Hedge suggested that literate Americans were able to look at the world from under a microscope, past the witty slogans of brands and politicians and interpret these things or people from a cognitive standpoint. Even though I'm able, I rarely evaluate anything past the point of a quick, self-formed opinion. I feel myself slipping deeper into that category. Even though I can interpret essays and my engineering textbooks as much as necessary, I always tend to take the easy way out and either form a quick opinion or look it up on Google. This new generation is definitely growing up in the age of brevity, and according to Hedge's definition of literacy, they are also growing up in an age that is declining in just that. And even though I'm in that category, I feel like I'm a lucky one. I still read, and can hold an intelligent conversation. It just takes effort now.