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256 points hirundo | 3 comments | | HN request time: 0s | source
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iamerroragent ◴[] No.35511931[source]
They say scores in spatial reasoning went up while analogies, vocabulary, and numerical reasoning declined.

Hmmm I wonder if an increase use of videogames paired with a decrease in the amount of time parents can spend communicating with their children might be related.

Note that over the last 30 years it's vastly transitioned from one parent staying home raising children to both parents working.

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elhudy ◴[] No.35518043[source]
Humans are incredibly adaptive. Is there much reason to have an expansive vocabulary nowadays? We are taught to speak and write as concisely and understandably as possible. We can look up the definition of any word at our fingertips. "[I do not] carry such information in my mind since it is readily available in books." - Einstein.

Maybe these tests are declining because they are measuring skills that are decreasingly relevant? I'm not certain I believe this myself but it's an interesting thought.

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1. riversflow ◴[] No.35518433[source]
> We can look up the definition of any word at our fingertips.

So what? Being able to understand expressive language and quickly context shift vocabulary is extremely valuable. If you don't have the vocabulary to identify context, being able to look up the definition of words will only get you so far. Additionally, you can't write words if you don't know that they exist.

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2. elhudy ◴[] No.35518601[source]
All, I am not saying that having a solid vocabulary isn't valuable. Of course it is valuable. What I am saying is that potentially, for most people, having a vastly expansive vocabulary might not be as valuable as it used to be.
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3. noobermin ◴[] No.35519332[source]
That only makes it even more valuable for one to possess it because it sets you apart from everyone else.