The Dumbing Down of English

I hate the Internet because any moron who can't spell can publish something. Three factors have contributed to the dumbing down of the English language: public schools making literacy (the ability to understand English at the most basic level) the goal rather than mastery of the English language, the obsession with catering to the lowest common denominator, and the Information Age. I am obsessed with proper spelling and grammar. Since first grade I've been an excellent speller. After I had spelled the word "said" incorrectly on a spelling test I was bound and determined to become a proficient speller. In 3rd grade it came down to me and another girl. We tied -- the teacher could not stump either of us with 6th grade words. She just gave up and declared us both winners. In 5th grade I ended up skipping the 5th grade spelling level and acing the 6th grade one. I'm an excellent speller in French too, which is not my native language (English is).