The quote reflects on the evolution of education and knowledge over the 20th century, suggesting that it began as a hopeful ideal around 1925 but saw a decline by 1975. This shift is attributed to teachers who began to withhold information, which contributed to an overall degradation of knowledge among educators and influencers. The idea is that foundational dreams of universal education have not fully materialized, leading to a loss of understanding in society.

Furthermore, the changes brought about by technology, such as spellchecks and search engines, have allowed modern innovators to reshape the world without necessarily possessing the knowledge that previous generations had. This trend suggests that ignorance has become less of a hindrance in today's context, raising concerns about the long-term impact on knowledge and understanding as the world continues to evolve under the influence of technology and those who might lack comprehensive knowledge.