Scientific alphabetization - Ignorance's boundaries grew!
In our parents and grandparents era, this is, by the middle of the 20th century, an analphabet person was defined when he/she could not write and read. Today, at the 21th century's childhood, this definition is clearly obsolete. We need to add digital culture, knowledge of at least one other language too. Yes, today we can find analphabet people at several places, unthinkable places. Therefore, there must be a writer that does not know how to use a computer, a professor that is not proficient with another language... and so on. Of course, several grades of analphabetism exist.
Digital and technological analphabetism is perhaps the most interesting one, whenever we come across someone that does not know what a social network is, a browser, spam, etc. Being a scientific analphabet is nothing to be ashamed of: I don't know that much of chemistry ... My thing was always math... Then there's cases that SHOULD be a shame, people that COULD learn yet proudly states "Oh, I'm no rocket scientist, WTF cares? I don't understand".
So, lets focus on scientific alphabetization and state: there's not a single kind of scientific analphabetism and/or literates.
Scientific cultural literate. This is a person that possesses a passive knowledge of scientific terms and language currently used.
Scientific functional literate. This type of literate involves a skill to use scientific terms as such and how they manifest in daily life. And has enough preparation to read scientific papers and articles grasping most of the information contained in them.
True Scientific Literate. This involves a deep understanding of scientific concepts, also, a certain knowledge in other fields but his specialty.
Civil scientific literate. This is a multidimensional kind, it involves 3 things: A basic scientific vocabulary, comprehension of the scientific method and an understanding of how science and technology affect society and its individuals.
What yesterday was considered a "literate" man, today is nothing more than a working pawn, expecting the care of "more important people". This may sound cruel, but you will notice in life that many people do NOTHING to improve themselves, sadly, they prefer to remain in the comfort of ignorance.
But, BEWARE! Today's literate people can become tomorrow's analphabet ones!
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