This Socialist Standard article “Pathfinders – Basic Skills” critiques claims that declining literacy and “cancel culture” stem from abandoning phonics, arguing instead that capitalism’s chaotic priorities—not conspiracies—drive educational failures. It notes that both US and UK literacy levels are poor, worsened by social media and AI, which promote effortless but shallow learning. The author humorously demonstrates AI’s inconsistency in misattributing a quote, concluding that genuine understanding requires “friction” and effort—something neither capitalist education systems nor AI’s “frictionless” convenience can provide.

From the November 2025 issue of The Socialist Standard.

World Socialist Radio is the official podcast of The Socialist Party of Great Britain. We have one single aim: the establishment of a societ ...