Have we dumbed down?

Question

Dr. Samuel Johnson said 'Rid yourselves of cant'. Would the world be a better place if we had followed his advice?

Answer 1

Isn't it interesting how many people have never heard the word 'cant', and assume it is meant to be 'can't'? Just based on this, I would say that yes, there has been a great dumbing down in the last century. When we can't even use our own language comfortably, we are indeed in trouble.

Answer 2

If you go by the average Yahoo Answers participant, it would appear that we, as a society, have indeed "dumbed down".... quite a bit since I was young. I think the world would be a better place if people would replace "I can't" with "I'll try my best". Far too many people expect life to be handed to them on a silver platter. Look at all the people in diet and fitness wanting to lose weight quickly and are looking for a pill that will do it for them.... Incredible!

Here's a project for you... Pick 10 or 20 questions at random and go through the the answers. See how many give any real thought or use legitimate grammar and/or spelling. If that doesn't answer your question, I'm not sure what will.

Answer 3

I'm not dumbed down. I have a few natural fears, but they don't interfere with my living well. I hang around myself a lot and work on learning stuff everyday and try hard to understand why other people feel the way they do so if they would lilke to change it I might be able to help them accomplish that. But I certainly know what you mean and yes some people are easily led, but you and I, and most of the people reading these very words - no way. The people who make Yaoo! Answers work are the most independent-minded people in the world. That's you and me. I mean, just look at some of the answers if you want to know about how independent people are here. (Independent means not dumbed down.) That dumbing down thing is so subtle about some things, though. I understand that aspect of it, too. I mean, who got all that toothpaste people turned in at airports?

Answer 4

I think the confusion in the answers sort of answers your question about dumbing down. I think it has its place, but must be recognised for what it is. According to my source, that's what Johnson thought too.
Sometimes it's useful to frame a social situation in a mutually understandable way, sometimes it suffocates fruitful interactions.

In the sense of cant as jargon, I think you only need to consider the example of the paper published in a sociology journal full of long, intricate words that made no sense at all to see the limitations of this type of language. Again though, although it's limited it's still pretty useful.

Answer 5

err.. dumbing down...

well I know virtually NOTHING about Samuel Johnson but I think half of you have missed the point...

the word is CANT & not...CAN'T...look up the quote...cant means something else..

cant [kant]
n
1. clichéd talk: boring talk filled with clichés and platitudes
2. hypocritical talk: insincere talk, especially where morals and religion are concerned
3. jargon: the special language or vocabulary of a particular group, especially a group whom some people look down on

Answer 6

That depends on whether or not you mean ridding the world of the word can't, or the concept "I can't." I think that language itself is going through a rough time right now, and have long wondered if we haven't dumbed down as a society. When I took into consideration that Tolkien's books were designed to be read to children, and yet half of the people I knew claimed they were too difficult to be read, I began to realize that as a society our education is more available to everyone, so it is not as superimposed on a small group of say upper-class white males.

Answer 7

Given that the following is a question post just prior to your own, yes!

Can J-Lo or Beyonce Wiggle their ears?

I'm actually becoming afraid for the future of this planet.

Answer 8

Yes, even some teachers can't spell correctly these days, how are they supposed to teach kids? Exam results - how much are they really worth? As long as schools appear to be adequate the government don't have to do anything to improve things.

Answer 9

I do not think we are dumber, the scope of knowledge has shifted. I just wish the clerks at convience stores could make change without relying on the register.

Answer 10

Okay Tony Robbins.