1/
Some excerpts from the recent OECD report on adult #literacy/numeracy & problem solving [1]
In most OECD "countries and economies, the literacy proficiency of the lowest-performing 10 % of the population has declined, with many experiencing similar declines in numeracy [...] literacy proficiency has declined more strongly among men than women"
"Critical thinking helps citizens to identify and counter falsehoods, steer clear of #disinformation campaigns, and defuse misleading narrations"
2/
The OECD report [1] also notes:
"Internet platforms and social media also make it easier to spread false and misleading information. Some actors may do so deliberately to distort public debates and fuel #polarisation. At times this may form part of a #HybridWarfare tactic, to erode the social fabric of open societies and weaken their defences. Such #disinformation campaigns have already been observed"
This may recall the #EvidenceSubversion risk in science
(thread: https://hostux.social/@dderigo/113523640776941306)
1/ In 2017, Adam Shapiro noted [1] that "the ability to discover [...] is inseparable from the social, economic, and political circumstances within which scientists work. [...] If scientists see themselves as fighting a battle against ignorance and #denial, they should know that those movements also have a history. [...] #science and objectivity can have a complex political #history, and [...] the discovery of facts can have a cultural and social basis—and “alternative facts” can still be lies"
3/
Unsurprising context
in the OECD report on declining adult skills [1]
"The ease with which false and misleading information spreads can have very practical negative consequences. For example, misinformation may already be hindering action to improve the environment and fight #ClimateChange [...] and fake news can increase political polarisation, making political action more difficult [...]. People appear to be over-confident in their ability to distinguish false news from true information"
4/
A commentary by Sarah O'Connor on the OECD findings asks: "Are we becoming a post-literate society?"
https://www.irishtimes.com/business/2024/12/27/are-we-becoming-a-post-literate-society/
(noted by @aram : https://aoir.social/@aram/113730890026945962 )
The commentary cites Neil Postman: I may recommend his 1988 interview for a longer term perspective
https://www.c-span.org/program/american-profile/life-and-career-of-neil-postman/142804
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[1] Scarpetta, S., Schleicher, A., Avvisati, F., Bahar, E., Meierkord, A., Paccagnella, M., Seitz, H., Staneva, M., Tusz, R., Keslair, F., Yassine, H.S., Tam, F.K., 2024. Do adults have the skills they need to thrive in a changing world? Survey of adult skills 2023, OECD Skills Studies. OECD. https://doi.org/10.1787/b263dc5d-en
Daniele de Rigo