LogFAQs > #984202646

We have nearly one fifth of Americans who are illiterate, there's nothing the smartest people can do about that to fix the average.

https://ballardbrief.byu.edu/issue-briefs/illiteracy-among-adults-in-the-us

About 18% of the US adult population is functionally illiterate.

I need people to understand what functionally illiterate exactly means.

Functional illiteracy is defined as the inability to read and comprehend relatively short texts or understand basic vocabulary.

Key note comprehension may not necessarily mean they can't read. It's possible to just sound out the sentence but have absolutely no clue what it means. In that case they are literate as in they CAN read or write, but they are FUNCTIONALLY illiterate. I feel like I have to make that point VERY clear because you know 1/5 gamefaqs posters probably can't infer what that means.

I believe something like 5% of adults literally can't even read or write as in COMPLETELY incapable to decipher text.
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/8/87f9d1b0.png

Five levels of literacy are defined:
Level 1 indicates persons with very poor skills, where the individual may, for example, be unable to determine the correct amount of medicine to give a child from information printed on the package.
Level 2 respondents can deal only with material that is simple, clearly laid out, and in which the tasks involved are not too complex. It denotes a weak level of skills, but more hidden than Level 1. It identifies people who can read, but test poorly. They may have developed coping skills to manage everyday literacy demands, but their low level of proficiency makes it difficult for them to face novel demands, such as learning new job skills.
Level 3 is considered a suitable minimum for coping with the demands of everyday life and work in a complex, advanced society. It denotes roughly the skill level required for successful secondary school completion and college entry. Like higher levels, it requires the ability to integrate several sources of information and solve more complex problems.
Level 4 and level 5 describe respondents who demonstrate command of higher-order information processing skills.

I'd honestly say America is at a 3 or a 4 in terms of "average," because for some reason people take pride in not being smart or educated almost like it's a badge of honor. It really drags the average down when that's culturally acceptable, it's fine to not have to understand things or make decisions for yourself. It's someone else's job to do that FOR YOU. Algorithmic complacency is a real thing and it definitely drags the average down significantly.