Ryan Abramson: Communications Consultants and American Communication Crisis

Jun 30

6 min read

Why We’re Struggling to Speak, Write, and Understand Each Other and How to Fix it.

African American Ryan Abramson woman speaking oakridge leaders — Speaking in America

Communications Consultant Ryan Abramson: America is facing a silent crisis. It’s not about politics or policy, but something deeper—our ability to communicate. Whether it's in the classroom, the office, or at the dinner table, people are struggling to connect. The reasons are complex, but the evidence is clear: communication in America is breaking down. And it’s happening fast.

We live in a time when digital tools connect us more than ever. We can text someone across the world in seconds, attend a meeting via video in our pajamas, or scroll through someone’s life on social media without ever speaking to them. But this access hasn't made us better communicators. In fact, the opposite is happening. According to recent studies, 54% of U.S. adults between ages 16 and 74—about 130 million people—lack proficiency in literacy. The problem is similar in my hometown of Bucks County, Pa. That’s not just reading for fun; that’s the basic ability to comprehend written language at work or at home. It’s a staggering statistic. And it affects everything.

Ryan Abramson, a communication expert and longtime advocate for literacy and storytelling, warns, “We are losing the very skills that make us human: the ability to speak with confidence, to listen with empathy, to read with understanding, and to write with purpose. If we don’t reverse this trend, we risk creating a generation that can scroll but not speak.”

The Social Media Disconnect

One of the greatest contributors to this crisis is social media. It was supposed to bring us together. And in some ways, it has. But it's also created a world where communication is more about likes and followers than truth and connection.

People don’t talk face-to-face anymore. In fact, a Preply study found that nearly 65% of people admit they avoid phone calls altogether, preferring texts or emails. It's not just about convenience—many people feel genuine anxiety about speaking in real time. In schools and universities, educators have noticed a steep decline in verbal engagement.

“My students don’t know how to have a conversation,” writes educator Paul Barnwell in The Atlantic. “They don’t know how to look someone in the eye and hold a conversation.”

This isn’t just awkward—it’s dangerous. It’s contributing to loneliness, misunderstanding, and even violence. When we lose the ability to talk through conflict, express ideas, or empathize with others, society fractures. The rise in online bullying, political division, and social isolation are all symptoms of this communication collapse.

Literacy Decline and Its Cost

The literacy crisis in the U.S. is not new, but it’s getting worse. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, a growing number of adults can’t perform basic reading and writing tasks. The Barbara Bush Foundation reports that low literacy costs the U.S. economy over $2.2 trillion a year in lost productivity. That’s not just an educational problem—it’s an economic emergency.

We’ve seen the consequences. Bookstores are closing. Libraries are underfunded. Even once-common activities like handwriting letters or reading newspapers are disappearing. Children are entering school without basic vocabulary skills.

The NAEYC warns of a massive “word gap,” with some children hearing 30 million fewer words than others by age four. These early deficits grow into lifelong struggles.

In one recent case in Minnesota, a former high school honors student filed a lawsuit against her district, claiming she graduated without knowing how to read or write. This is not an isolated incident. In cities like Hartford, CT, entire schools are under scrutiny for failing to teach literacy effectively. And these failures follow students into adulthood—into job interviews, courtrooms, and healthcare offices, where poor communication can have real, tragic consequences. The same is true in Catholic schools across America too.

The Classroom Fight to Fix Communication

Schools and universities are trying to catch up. Teachers are incorporating digital literacy, public speaking, and emotional intelligence into their lesson plans. Programs that promote speaking and listening skills are being funded in early education. Colleges are expanding writing centers, speech labs, and peer tutoring programs to help students catch up.

Yet, the challenge is massive. Teachers are overwhelmed. Class sizes are large. And students are coming to class already years behind in reading and verbal skills. In many cases, the students most in need of help are the ones least likely to ask for it. As one college student confessed in a Medium essay on imposter syndrome: “I always felt like I didn’t belong because I couldn’t express myself like others could. I didn’t have the words.”

Artificial Intelligence: Savior or Saboteur?

AI has emerged as both a potential solution and a new threat. Tools like ChatGPT, Grammarly, and Google Translate can help people communicate more effectively. They offer assistance in writing, translating, and editing. For people with disabilities or non-native speakers, this is life-changing.

But there’s a darker side. As Forbes and Medium have noted, AI is also making it easier to skip the hard work of learning to write or speak. Students can generate entire essays without ever typing a word. Professionals are using AI to write emails, presentations, even public speeches. The result? Less critical thinking. Less authenticity. More reliance on technology.

Ryan Abramson puts it bluntly: “AI should be a bridge, not a crutch. We need to teach people how to use AI to elevate their voices—not to replace them.”

Even in workplaces, AI is changing how teams interact. Companies are replacing human conversation with dashboards, bots, and automated reports. A recent Okoone study found that 70% of workers feel less connected to their teams because of automation.

And with remote work becoming the norm, the informal communication that builds trust and teamwork is disappearing.

Why It Matters Now

Communication is more than just words. It’s how we connect, how we build trust, and how we grow. When people can’t read well, they can’t fill out forms, understand laws, or manage their health. When people can’t speak clearly, they can’t advocate for themselves, express feelings, or lead others.

And when people can’t write, they struggle to get jobs, share ideas, or influence change.

We’re raising a generation that is fluent in emojis but not in empathy. That can swipe through content but can’t construct a coherent sentence. That can rant online but can’t hold a civil conversation.

This is a crisis that affects every level of society—from the boardroom to the schoolyard. And it won’t fix itself.

Ryan Abramson: The Path Forward

Change starts with awareness. We must recognize that communication is not a soft skill—it is the most critical skill. Schools must double down on literacy programs. Employers must prioritize clear communication and invest in training. Parents must talk to their children—face-to-face, every day.

We must also rethink our relationship with technology. Social media should be a tool for connection, not replacement. AI should be a partner in learning, not a shortcut. And public policy must reflect the urgency of this moment, with funding for libraries, literacy initiatives, and public communication campaigns.

Ryan Abramson says it best: