In The Driver’s Seat

If you have driven in town lately, you can testify to the following AP article premise: Average IQs are plummeting worldwide.  

And here’s another worry—it’s not going to get better. Fourth grade reading proficiencies are at 33%, which means 7 out of 10 ten-year-olds have a hard time sounding out words, let alone understanding them. And the DMV still publishes their manuals in written form. Oh boy. 

There is hope, however, and it is you. You are the sacred keeper of the meaning of its and it’s. You know the Pantheon of their there they’re. Then there’s the deeper magic—you can show, not tell. 

Science tells us you’re about to be something extraordinary. When you’re able to write, it’s because you can read. The two combined make you the most dangerous person in the room. Why? 

Because you can process words more quickly than those who don’t read or write. You also have knowledge from your reading, from both literary characters and nonfiction facts.  

Best of all, you can process what you’re hearing and formulate a response in a logical format.  

The reading drop won’t last too long. The secret to success will become obvious, and those who read a few books now and then will find themselves in leadership positions, and parents will force their kids to read again. Book sales will rise, and the cycle will play itself out again.  

Until then, live in the monastery that is your home and continue to read. Be the sacred keeper of knowledge and produce the work people will crave soon! Drive carefully! 

1 Peter 2:2