About this Video

• Video Title: How America Keeps Its Citizens Uneducated
• Channel: ashley viola
• Speakers: Ashley Viola (implied)
• Duration: 00:23:05

Introduction

This video explores the assertion that the United States has deliberately maintained a less educated populace to preserve the status quo. The speaker examines historical and contemporary factors contributing to this alleged situation, including the historical undervaluing of education, the structure of the public education system, and the influence of powerful entities.

Key Takeaways

1. Historical Undermining of Education: The video argues that from the nation's founding, those in power favored practical skills over intellectual pursuits, fearing educated citizens would challenge the existing social and economic order. Examples include Horace Mann's Prussian-inspired compulsory education system, designed for docile workers rather than critical thinkers.

2. Public Education System's Failures: The current public education system is presented as poorly funded, particularly in low-income areas, resulting in under-educated or poorly educated citizens. This system, the video contends, is designed to produce a workforce for the service industry, a significant portion of the US economy.

3. Powerful Entities' Influence: Various powerful entities, including corporations, the healthcare industry, and the government, are implicated in maintaining the status quo by influencing policies that benefit them at the expense of public education. Examples cited include privatization of education and the suppression of information.

4. The Role of Technology: The video argues that the pervasiveness of social media and technology, while offering benefits, also hinders critical thinking skills and contributes to a less informed populace. The ease of access to information through devices, it is argued, decreases the need to develop critical thinking.

5. Consequences of Under-Education: A less-educated populace is presented as more susceptible to manipulation, leading to issues like higher healthcare costs due to medical illiteracy, financial vulnerability, and an increased prison population due to functional illiteracy.