USA - IQs FALLING Because Students Don't/CAN'T Write

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-13273363/handwriting-extinction-IQs-begin-fall.html

America's fight to save handwriting from extinction as IQs
begin to fall for first time ever and teachers warn some
20-year-olds can't sign checks anymore

Americans reported they hadn't written a note or personal letter
in five years

People are having a hard time reading their own and others'
handwriting

Studies show writing can increase the brain's cognitive abilities

A new study published in February by researchers at the
Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)
found that handwriting is linked to increased cognitive
brain function, motor skills and memory.

'It is important to realize that the brain follows the
principle of 'use it or lose it,' said Audrey van der Meer,
the study's lead author and neuropsychology professor at
the NTNU.

'When writing by hand, most of the brain is active,'
she continued.

'This requires the brain to communicate between its active
parts which, in turn, puts the brain in a state that helps
both children and adults learn more and remember better,'
van der Meer said.

. . .

   I've lost some cursive over the years, but I do
   write lots of notes - Post-Its rule ! However most
   are block printed rather than cursive. It is true
   that the younger ones CANNOT read cursive AT ALL
   alas - but so far they're mostly OK with block letters
   because that's what's on their phones/tablets. A quirk
   of mine is to MIX block and cursive - say a capital "M"
   followed by non-connected cursive 'ore' letters. The
   kiddies aren't too fond of even that compromise.

   So, soon - kind of NOW - when their phones and such
   record/send/play-back ONLY voice and every command
   is cutsie icons, we can expect "writing" to totally
   disappear. At best they'll speak and the computer
   will fill in the (more or less) correct text in
   some little box.

   I guess they'll never be able to read the Declaration
   Of Independence or Bill Of Rights or any personal
   letters from important past figures. Don't fret,
   the computer will do it - after Wokie-Washing  the
   contents so no one will be "triggered" ....

   This sort of disconnection from the past amounts
   to a form of censorship - except The State does
   not have to TRY to hide the material, it will
   be 'hidden' because the pop won't be able to
   read it at all. Fahrenheit 451 without all the
   nasty carbon emissions ....

   100+ years ago, literacy was rather rare. 200+
   years ago it was far more rare. Class, and
   intelligence, were indicated by an ability to
   read and write. I think it does help organize
   thinking. The illiterate were not "stupid"
   as such, but still somewhat LIMITED.