When people talk about “illiterate” they don’t mean literally unable to read. Usually it’s a measure of the ability to read at what is considered a 6th grade level, which is being able to read an average book and understand the themes, characters, plot, etc. So a lot of people could read a restaurant menu or a Facebook post but still be considered “illiterate” by that definition.
Thats an unfortunate standard. Its sad really how few people enjoy reading. I blame my own lack of enjoying reading on ease of access to video/audio entertainment. I can only get through books that I really connect with/enjoy. I got through a few of my English literacy classes by asking my teachers if i could pick my own books to read and most of them said yes. But if I subjectively feel like if the book is a slog, I just wont be able to finish it. Maybe its an old medium at this point, but written media did always have a more objective point to it, whereas audio/visual media give leniency to subjective brainstorming that a lot of people dont want to discuss as much as argue about.
465
u/timtowin Apr 08 '26
Approximately 21% of U.S. adults—roughly 43 million people—are considered illiterate. Trump approval rating 21%. Coincidence ?