Nicholas Craig column

Jan 28 2005 By Nicholas Craig, The Journal

Are we being dumbed down? In a week dominated by the results of Big Brother reality TV, is the cult of the celebrity and all things superficial now the order of the day?

At last year's Edinburgh Television Festival, Radio 4's John Humphrys' spirited condemnation of junk TV struck a chord with many people convinced that news is being transformed into highly graphic mini-soap operas to retain viewing figures.

The BBC, however, appears to have renounced reality TV - no more makeovers of face, house or garden in its future plans.

However, the other channels will no doubt reap the rewards of less competition in an area that attracts many millions of devoted, loyal followers.

A recent study in America showed book reading is in decline, especially among the young.

There is a dramatic decline in reading - down 28pc among 18 to 34-year-olds over the last 20 years.

The research pointed its finger at the growth of electronic media, with computers claiming the attention of those not watching television. But if we are dumbing down so dramatically, why did more people go to a museum or art gallery last year than to a live sporting event or a theme park?

How is it that exam results are achieved at higher grades each year?

What is the evidence of dumbing down in business? Although books and newspapers are no longer read as much as they were, people are kept up to date through radio, TV, magazines and talking to each other.

The business establishment may frown on texting, emailing and chat rooms, but they all encourage informal, effective dialogue.

The one plea I have heard from businesses for more years than I can remember is that they would like their new employees to be able to communicate well. From my experience we are winning that war - slowly, but surely.

Perhaps we need to rethink what we mean by "good communication".

Somehow, we expect people to use long words and phrases when writing about "serious" subjects; and we often equate plain English with dumbing down. Yet that confuses technical jargon, which is fine when conversing with people at the same level of professional understanding, with interconnecting conversation that doesn't exclude anyone.

The rise of popular culture appears to be an education for us all.

Nicholas Craig is a partner at Watson Burton LLP