Since the most prominent media in our culture is network television, one can expect that the level of education of the target audience would be the lowest in this media. Thus, the proliferation of mind-numbing shows like "The Housewives of (fill-in-the-blank)", fake wrestling, "not-very-funny" comedy, and network news that promote "fair and balanced" reporting and opinions without consideration of facts and the findings of science. For example, it is rare for them to truly present the harmful effects of religious activities, as well as alternatives to medicine, conspiracy theories, and other pseudoscience.
In light of the above, there has never been a greater need for mandatory age-appropriate education in critical thinking and rigorous, timely fact-checking of all media. A gullible society can be easily molded by unscrupulous actors, including but not limited to corporations, politicians, and organized religions.
Society has figured out how to handle physical trash (sort of, at least). It's more than time for brain trash to be appropriately handled.
