Illiteracy versus success

Can one succeed in today’s society without basic literacy and numerical skills? I admit that these skills are the foundation blocks upon which all further learning is built, but not knowing them doesn’t put an end to the world.

Today, most knowledge is collected and stored symbolically in print, making the ability to read and write imperative. But did you know, about one third of the global population is illiterate? What do they do? Merely sit back and earn no living? In my opinion, technological and traditional information can be learned through observation, trials, errors and experiences accumulated over time along with a tinge of vigilance and self-confidence.

Acquiring new knowledge without knowing how to read and write is no simple task in today’s society, where people are flooded with new information on a daily, even hourly, basis. How, then do illiterates learn? What learning agents can be used by them to attain literacy?

Sadly, there are a few people who after a certain age, think of acquiring knowledge as a blow to their ego. Like Albert Edward Foreman, a character from the book Verger, for instance. They should learn to perceive life in a positive manner and keep their egoistic feelings aside. Give it a go or blindly wait for what the future beholds, as directed by destiny. Alternatively, if they’re gallant enough, they should consider taking a risk and master a talent [music, painting, photography], which doesn’t require literacy skills from scratch.

In my opinion, learning doesn’t necessarily have to take place in schools or colleges. It can be instigated through experience and practice, anywhere and at any time of your life. Knowledge is gained through universal values, skills and experiences influenced by different sources within the environment. Those sources can range from family and neighbourhood to games and commercial services. Also, many uneducated villagers use traditions and customs derived from their forefathers and strive to develop the same business in cities (such as making clay pots). And quite successfully, indeed.

Illiteracy shouldn’t be considered a rationale to rule out life. Even though, in the 21st century, it seems impossible for the uneducated to succeed, it is not.