We Don't Know How to Read!

From the perspective of El Nacional, a Venezuelan publication often critical of the country's intellectual and political climate, this article reflects a deep concern over the degradation of literacy and intellectual discourse. The author uses a seemingly lighthearted tone, recalling archaic Spanish exclamations, to underscore a more serious point: the fundamental inability of many to engage with written text due to a poor grasp of punctuation.

The anecdote about the "prominent writer" during an interview serves as a microcosm of a larger perceived problem in Venezuela. The writer's alleged condescension towards the young journalist – by 'explaining' commas and periods – is presented not just as personal rudeness, but as symptomatic of an arrogant intellectual elite that devalues genuine communication and respect. The author's assertion that they are a "better writer" because they possess more "nobility and sensitivity" highlights a critique of ego-driven literary figures who use their status for personal gain rather than artistic merit.

The article directly links this issue to the Venezuelan context, suggesting that "fakes" use literature as a "springboard" to access power, whether it be financial (Banco Central) or political. This is a pointed critique of how the regime and its associated figures might co-opt cultural capital. The statement that "a good majority of Venezuelans do not read well" is a stark indictment, extending to the "bourgeoisie" of the past and especially to supporters of the current "madurista regime."

For El Nacional, this piece is not merely about grammar; it's about the broader implications for a society where critical thinking and informed public discourse are seen as eroding. The inability to "read well" is framed as a symptom of a deeper societal malaise, where superficiality and self-interest overshadow genuine intellectual engagement. The article implicitly calls for a return to valuing clear communication and substantive thought, contrasting it with the perceived shallowness and self-aggrandizement prevalent in certain circles.