Apparently Gen Z Can't Read

[Dr Strangelove]

The End of the Flynn Effect: The creator notes that for much of the 20th century, IQ scores and literacy rates rose steadily. Recently, this trend has stagnated or reversed, with Gen Z and Gen Alpha showing struggles with basic academic and critical thinking skills (0:00 - 1:45).
Flawed Educational Philosophies: The No Child Left Behind Act is cited as a turning point (3:07), where the focus shifted from deep learning to "teaching to the test," resulting in graduates who lack genuine comprehension of the material (3:58 - 4:42).
Cognitive Offloading via Technology: The convenience of modern technology (GPS, apps, algorithms) has reduced the need for mental effort, leading to a decay in skills like memorization, planning, and problem-solving (6:08 - 7:48).
Attention Span Degradation: Constant overstimulation from social media algorithms and short-form content hinders the ability to focus, making deep work or long-term reading difficult (8:09 - 9:02).
Learned Helplessness: The reliance on instant gratification and shortcuts creates a cycle where individuals feel incapable of overcoming minor friction. This is reflected in trends such as fewer young people obtaining driver's licenses (10:03 - 11:22) and an over-reliance on AI for tasks like writing or basic research (11:52 - 13:06).
Parenting Styles: The rise of "helicopter parenting" is discussed as an overcorrection that prevents young adults from developing resilience, independence, and the ability to advocate for themselves (14:14 - 16:25).
Recommendations for Growth:
The creator concludes by urging viewers to take accountability for their own development:

Step outside of your bubble: Surround yourself with people who challenge you rather than those who reinforce mediocrity (17:34 - 17:50).
Limit screen time: Replace passive scrolling with active hobbies, reading, and face-to-face social interaction (17:57 - 18:25).
Seek independence: Move out of your parents' home and embrace the "friction" of real-world responsibilities, which the creator argues is the best way to foster resilience and critical thinking (18:53 - 19:17).


Humanity has overshot the efficiency curve and we are in a bit of a speed wobble that will take several generations to calibrate. Not the end of the world but if you think the world is crazy and out of control it's not you but it can get a hell of a lot worse fast if we let go. Outsourcing critical thinking skills to an AI that is not even based in reality is going to have predictable results.

[testerone]

90% of my boomer buds can't read either.
Put NOW ONLY $25 A MONTH in 64 pt bold type and the FOR THE FIRST THREE MONTHS in 24 pt totally vanished from their vision.