“One of the painful signs of years of dumbed-down education is how many people are unable to make a coherent argument. They can vent their emotions, question other people’s motives, make bold assertions, repeat slogans—anything except reason”

Simplified Meaning:

Over the years, many schools haven't focused enough on teaching students to think and argue clearly. As a result, lots of people today struggle to make logical points when discussing important issues. Instead of explaining their thoughts in an organized way, they often just express their feelings, suspect others' intentions, make strong but unsupported statements, or simply repeat catchy phrases they’ve heard. Imagine a political debate where one person calmly backs up their stance with facts and reason, while the other just angrily accuses their opponent without much evidence. The first person shows the benefits of good education, making it easier to have constructive conversations. To apply this idea in real life, individuals should practice forming their opinions based on careful thinking and evidence, rather than just reacting emotionally or repeating what others say. This skill helps in making better decisions and having more meaningful interactions with others.