Text Driven World

I recently travelled abroad for the first time in a long, long time, and suddenly realised how dependent I am on the ability to read signs, instructions and directions. When everything is in Italian and I only know two or three words of the language it can become a bit confusing.

I recently saw this article online and realised how difficult it must be for those with dyslexia to function in situations which seem easy to me.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-7269835/Mollie-King-cuts-stylish-figure-white-vest-peach-skirt-departs-BBC-studios.html

Even driving to a strange town and trying to work out what to do in a car park can be a nuisance. I think it is interesting that even in her job as a radio presenter, Mollie King needs to be able to read phone texts as well as scripts and playlists, but has developed strategies to manage this part of her life.

HMRC Uses 'psyops'

https://www.devonlive.com/devon-men-say-hmrc-caused-2743802


I have just come across this interesting article in a Devon newspaper. It seems to me that all large organisations are now developing practices and strategies that are designed to manipulate customers, clients and the public, and that they are increasingly using behavioural scientists to guide these practices.

As a minimum wage earner, I always find it difficult and intimidating when dealing with these large and powerful entities. And I always wonder if the people who work for these organisations feel the same way when they are in a situation where they are 'victims' of similar strategies.

The other question that occurs to me is the character of the behavioural scientists behind such procedures. Almost all psychology students I have spoken to have been drawn to the subject with the intention of understanding and helping others - they are usually compassionate and thoughtful people, interested in how personalities, relationships and psychological illnesses develop and how people might be helped in various situations. The fact that some of these same people would become involved in manipulating, intimidating and possibly injuring others surprises me, and I wonder if they always know how their research and knowledge is being used.

Of course, the other question that occurs is why it is Devon men that are the victims; why not Devon women, or London taxpayers? (I know, I know - it is a local newspaper and refers to a few specific local men - but that headline still sounds odd to me).

Dyslexia screenings will help students succeed

 http://www.semissourian.com/story/2320028.html

I think the title of this article is very interesting. I like how positive and optimistic it sounds. And I like the attitude adopted by the education authorities here. It is not just about screening, but also involves providing at least partial aid to those who are found to be dyslexic. I'm sure it is not the final answer to the problem. It might not even be a right answer, but at least they are doing something.
I am inclined to think that the real answer will require some kind of basic changes to the way we think about education; maybe some way to provide alternative routes through the curriculum; maybe an even more basic change in the contents of the curriculum.
I remember once listening to a lecturer in Liverpool who said that those with dyslexia would probably be seen as geniuses in some future where technology reduced the dependence on text for the transfer of knowledge and information. He also made the point that reading was a rare skill in the middle ages and that dyslexia would not have been such a barrier then.