The situation can only get worse. As the old school guys who actually know things, drop off the radar, and are replaced by kindergarten teachers of "Paint by numbers". How can that be reversed? There is eventually no one who remembers what flying is supposed to be, we will be required, by ElfinSafety, to fit guards over rotating props, jet exhausts will have to be cooled down to room temp within the aircraft, etc. there is no end to what progressive regulation could do as they become more and more ignorant.
... but in fact the situation is the exact opposite. As tired, complacent old farts and their dodgy aircraft drop out of the pool of GA we see higher standards of safety and airmanship. The number of accidents reduces, pilots are trained in airspace that contains much more crowded CAS than previously, there are many more people flying off tight, rough strips rather than big, safe tarmac runways, with better situational awareness and all-round skills.
As for the education system 'dumbing down', you should wish to be so switched-on and smart as teenagers these days. They don't know the difference between 'your' and 'you're' but they understand how the corporate world tries to manipulate and exploit them, how to collect and analyse data, and when they are being lied to. Not like the older generations of propaganda fodder
Things aren't what they used to be - thank God!
The world is much bigger and more complicated, and much more fun!