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I woke up this morning with a most unusual and anxious visceral angst regarding the state of our nation. Perhaps the detritus of some melange of unconscious, unresolved conflicts playing themselves out in my dreams as my political and religious discussions as of late have proved to be everything but productive. Although I've been decrying the dumbing down of America for well over two decades now, despite those who adamantly dismissed me as a proselytizer of doom, a pessimist, or worse. A real time snapshot of America's educational standing in the world today does offer me quite the vindication of my longstanding prognostications. According to the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), ratings in three key areas of literacy among the 31 industrialized nations, the U.S. ranks 15th in Reading, 19th in Mathematics, and 14th in Science. Hardly a recipe for American leadership in the new global economy of the 21st century. And sadly, all evidence suggests that this trend will continue well into the near future.
Also, in a congress mandated research report conducted by The National Academy of Sciences entitled "Rising Above the Gathering Storm", the results indicated that America will no longer continue to lead the world in scientific and technological innovation absent a comprehensive and radical restructuring of the educational system in the United States.
All of this necessarily begs the question: What went awry? How could the country that gave the world air travel, the automobile and men on the moon have devolved so quickly into this intellectually deficient quagmire? Well, I've noticed over the years that human discourse has changed in major ways, disciplined debates have given way to unrestrained arguments, reasoning to assumption, and most disturbingly, facts have become synonymous with opinion.
A great many people think they are thinking when they are merely re-arranging their prejudices.
Even here in the Northeast, the renowned bastion of intellectual prowess, I find that stating an easily verifiable fact elicits abject suspicion. Years of political correctness seems to have created a condition of truth aversion. Never underestimate the primitive human hedonistic and narcissistic tendencies, the truth is often rather unpleasant, whereas a lie is so much easier to digest. In fact, Dr. Randy Pausch, of "The Last Lecture" fame, admitted recently during his Dateline NBC interview that "In his experience, people don't really want the truth, they want to be stroked." Indeed, this has been true in my experience as well. I couldn't begin to count the number of times I've heard the phrase: "Way too much information." This is, for lack of a better term, factual hypersensitivity, what I consider to be a serious character flaw.
Contemplation, study, and research, a uniquely human gift and privilege, is now considered a tedious chore unworthy of our time and energy. Instead, they've been supplanted by video, reality television, and celebrity gossip, just to name a few. Given the undeniable challenges and threats this country now faces, these behaviors and sentiments are not only irresponsible, they're downright deplorable.
The schism we're witnessing in America today, post 911, is utterly and completely shameful. It is wrought with warped vocabulary and revisionism aimed at denigrating those who simply disagree. I constantly hear those who dare to scrutinize our leadership's governance, proffer ideas for positive change, or even so much as demonstrate compassion and empathy for their fellow man labeled as Communists, Socialists or accused of hating America. Nationalism and jingoism have been massively distorted and conflated with patriotism. Scrutiny is certainly not mutiny.
An entire segment of our citizenry is hopelessly gripped in fear, perceiving threats from every direction. So overwhelmed with panic, they are willing to relinquish our most basic constitutional rights.
"Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."
--Benjamin Franklin
Furthermore, the rule of law is quickly degenerating in favor of the rule of man. Fear has never been, and certainly should never be, a prerequisite for prudent judgment. Fear induced decision is both self deprecating and suicidal. We shame our founding fathers by cowering in the face of adversity. The challenge now is whether we continue on this path of self destruction, or shall we rise in resilience and solidarity.
