The Problems of Speed

Recently, while reading through the editorials section of the online New York Times, I came across an article titled, "The Reality of Dyslexia", and instantly became interested. Growing up, there was a kid in my middle school advisory who had dyslexia, and as we became better friends he would tell me the struggles he faced daily. Reading was a painstaking task for him, that I so easily took for granted. As we got older, we began to grow apart, and my concern with the problems of dyslexia began to fade away as well. As I read this article, the statistics of dyslexia and all of those who suffer from it astonished me. "Nearly two million students in our public schools struggle with reading because of dyslexia". Later the article goes on to state that, "Learning to read with accuracy, fluency, and comprehension greatly increases the likelihood of high school graduation, enrollment in college, and career success".
What struck me as so interesting in this article was all of the benefits of simply learning to read, something I wouldn't even think twice about knowing to do. All of my goals and dreams of college and careers and plainly my future are hindered for millions by dyslexia. In this day and age, I believe that dyslexia is an even bigger problem than before because efficiency is now so valued. Every week it seem there is a new commercial advertising the "newest, fastest phone". It is hard to find a town without a fast food restaurant. Standardized testing for college or in school is difficult mostly because of the time restrictions. Nearly every aspect of life in the United States is becoming speedier and speedier, while those with dyslexia need time to process information to understand what has been given to them. Is it necessary? I have blogged more than once on speed or efficiency, and it seems to be a recurring theme in my class as well. I believe that it is such a lingering topic for me is because I don't understand why it's necessary. Don't get me wrong, I love all the new technology these days, but I feel that this necessity to be the fastest has become overwhelming. I ask again, is it necessary?