I read it somewhat incredulously last year, and today comes a report that for another year, Atlanta has been named the fourth "most literate city."
This ranking is done by Central Connecticut State University President Jack Miller, who bases it on the number of bookstores, library resources, newspaper circulation and Internet resources. Atlanta ranks behind only Washington #1, DC, Seattle #2, and Minneapolis #3.
Imagine !! We are more literate -- supposedly meaning we read more or at least have more resources for reading -- than Boston #5 (with all its universities) and San Francisco #9. New York is not even in the top 10.
Miller's data suggest that "wealthier cites are no more likely to rank highly in literacy than poorer cities." Cleveland is second lowest in family income but rates as #13th most literate because of its library system and magazine and newpaper subscriptions. (I wonder if the National Inquirer and Pro Wrestling Illustrated count?)
On the other hand, Anchorage is #5 in median family income but only 61st in literacy. Perhaps it wasn't just a mental freeze-up when Sarah Palin couldn't answer Katie Couric's question about what magazines and news magazines she reads: "Oh, you know, all of them," she said; but then couldn't name any.
Anyway . . . Good for Atlanta.
Ralph
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