Survey Reveals Geographic Illiteracy USA

[Where is Hassan Nasrallah ?]

NEW STUDY
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2006/05/0502_060502_geography.html


TAKE THE SURVEY
http://www9.nationalgeographic.com/roper2006/question_01.html

[Where is Hassan Nasrallah ?]

shame that for the question

Which of the following ranges contains the correct population of the United States today?
       
Between 10 million and 50 million
Between 150 million and 350 million
Between 500 million and 750 million
Between 1 billion and 2 billion
I Don’t Know


AMERICAN KIDS HAVE THE LOWEST SCORE (25% got it rigth ... their OWN country ...) !!!

[Axl_owns_dexter]

We know our public education system is a joke, we don't need Europeans mocking us because of it.  I got an idea, I'll be respectful of France's internal affairs, and you can be respectful of ours.   

[Where is Hassan Nasrallah ?]

take ?the survey really , pay attention to scores for questions 11, 12, 13,14 ... striking.

it's old, but they re-did the survey recently

http://www9.nationalgeographic.com/roper2006/answer_01.html

[Where is Hassan Nasrallah ?]

We know our public education system is a joke, we don't need Europeans mocking us because of it.  I got an idea, I'll be respectful of France's internal affairs, and you can be respectful of ours.   

nah, we're stupid too
we're all stupid

[Mal Brossard]

I went to private schools my whole life and got 17/20 on that test.

HOWEVER, on my first day of American Civilization my junior year, the teacher handed us a map of the US and told us to label all the states and capitals that we could.  Only one of us got all of them right-- me.  Schools don't do enough to teach kids about the world around them.  In 6th grade, by the end of the year we were supposed to be able to fill in all the countries on a map of the world after studying world history from 5000 BC to 1980.  No one could do it.  The best score was 68% (once again, mine).  Granted, the fact I won the school's geography bee in the two years they held it was enough proof that no one knows geography anymore.

Schools don't give a shit about students learning anything more than what they want to teach.  In times of students being suspended for telling a teacher about finding a flaw in the school's computer security systems, we need to expand the sphere of what learning is acceptable in schools.  Learning goes beyond what is taught.  If a student wants to learn something on their own they should be allowed to.  At the same time, they shouldn't be expected to learn things just on their own, like geography these days for example.

"Do we really think that a government-dominated education is going to produce citizens capable of dominating their government, as the education of a truly vigilant self-governing people requires?" --Alan Keyes

[Sakib]

those questions were easy. I got about 3 wrong

[SLCPUNK]

We know our public education system is a joke, we don't need Europeans mocking us because of it.  I got an idea, I'll be respectful of France's internal affairs, and you can be respectful of ours.   

We should be mocked...........

Your response is a good indication of why we are.

Please pass the freedom fries...........

[Where is Hassan Nasrallah ?]

those questions were easy. I got about 3 wrong

i got 0 i think ...

[Walk]

I only missed the CSI one. What what that one doing there? 

[Where is Hassan Nasrallah ?]

I only missed the CSI one. What what that one doing there? 

yeah i thought it was kinda wierd, i got lucky on that one, dont even know what i picked

[jazjme]

did well 20/20

[Gunner80]

We know our public education system is a joke, we don't need Europeans mocking us because of it.  I got an idea, I'll be respectful of France's internal affairs, and you can be respectful of ours.   

We should be mocked...........

Your response is a good indication of why we are.

Please pass the freedom fries...........

SLC sure hates this country, but loves his homes and freedom.

[Timothy]

did well 20/20

Thats what I got too.

[Guns N RockMusic]

I only missed the CSI one, soory I don't watch that much TV.  I'd love to see our younger European crowd take this test, just to see how it compares.  I'd be willing to wager it'd be the same.  The problem isn't that Americans are stupid, the problem is that very few people seek out higher education.  I'm not saying you have to goto college to be educated, but it makes access to information alot easier as well as providing you a base as to how to obtain that information.  If Americans are so stupid, they why is America the world's only superpower?  It seems kind of contradictory and illogical to claim that the stupid rule the world.

[Sterlingdog]

I think a lot of those questions you would know if you are someone who pays attention to current events and world affairs.  You aren't going to know which country had an earthquake in 2005 because you got an A in geography in high school or college.  You'll know it if you keep up on world news though. 

[SLCPUNK]

We know our public education system is a joke, we don't need Europeans mocking us because of it.  I got an idea, I'll be respectful of France's internal affairs, and you can be respectful of ours.   

We should be mocked...........

Your response is a good indication of why we are.

Please pass the freedom fries...........

SLC sure hates this country, but loves his homes and freedom.

SLCPUNK doesn't like dumb people, who cry when somebody dares to say anything remotely negative about the USA. SLCPUNK also dislikes the mind numbing finger pointing at the French whenever those dumb people can't think of anything else to say. SLCPUNK also thinks that this type of behavior only reinforces the stereotype that we are a bunch of illiterate tools who don?t know our asses from a hole in the ground.

If Americans are so stupid, they why is America the world's only superpower?  It seems kind of contradictory and illogical to claim that the stupid rule the world.

Please examine that statement and explain to me how it is not stupid.........

[Axl_owns_dexter]

SLCPUNK doesn't like dumb people, who cry when somebody dares to say anything remotely negative about the USA.

So, I'm a dumb person who cries?  Feeling a little judgemental?

Anyway, I only ask for some level of respect.  Immature mockery isn't cool, and I won't stoop to that level to trash some other society I don't live in.  I have no problem with pointing out facts, but mockery is stupid.

[SLCPUNK]

Anyway, I only ask for some level of respect.  Immature mockery isn't cool, and I won't stoop to that level to trash some other society I don't live in.  I have no problem with pointing out facts, but mockery is stupid.

He was not mocking us, that was my point.

On the contrary I found your response was embarrassing.

[godiva]

On the Dutch news I saw today that most Americans have no clue where Iraq or Afghanistan are. For people who can read Dutch it?s on www.rtlnieuws.nl, under ?opmerkelijk?.

[Guns N RockMusic]

On the Dutch news I saw today that most Americans have no clue where Iraq or Afghanistan are. For people who can read Dutch it?s on www.rtlnieuws.nl, under ?opmerkelijk?.

I just giggle everytime someone tries to point out how dumb and uneducated Americans are.  You never see an American poster trying to post some study claiming how unaware or uninformed some Europeans are.  It's funny that these media outlets have nothing better to do than try to report on America.  It just goes to show how important America is and how big its influence and control is over the rest of the world.

[Guns N RockMusic]

If Americans are so stupid, they why is America the world's only superpower?? It seems kind of contradictory and illogical to claim that the stupid rule the world.

Please examine that statement and explain to me how it is not stupid.........

Maybe I'm missing somethign here, but it appears that the common conception from fellow board members (and I infer Europeans) is that Americans are idiots.  So in other words, a country of Idiots is the world's superpower and most influential country.  It seems foolish to me that the "smart" people would allow themselves to be coerced and threatened by people who are intellectually inferior.    In the words of ol' Ben Kenobi, "Who's more foolish, the fool or the fool who follows the fool."

[Cornell]

did well 20/20

Good job, Jaz!  I got one wrong.  Hell, we didn't do bad for Americans!  

[SLCPUNK]

If Americans are so stupid, they why is America the world's only superpower?  It seems kind of contradictory and illogical to claim that the stupid rule the world.

Please examine that statement and explain to me how it is not stupid.........

Maybe I'm missing somethign here...

You are.........

funny how you always get the American posters thinking that just because their government has influence, they think that they themselves have more influence...all that brings is delusional arrogance...all you are is a very unimportant small cog unattached to the big machine

[Axls Locomotive]

I just giggle everytime someone tries to point out how dumb and uneducated Americans are.  You never see an American poster trying to post some study claiming how unaware or uninformed some Europeans are.  It's funny that these media outlets have nothing better to do than try to report on America.  It just goes to show how important America is and how big its influence and control is over the rest of the world.

maybe because Europeans answered more questions correct than Americans

and there is a difference between "important" and "oversaturation"

funny how you always get the American posters thinking that just because their government has influence, they think that they themselves have more influence...all that brings is delusional arrogance...all you are is a very unimportant small cog unattached to the big machine

[Kujo]

You are.........

You have to explain it so people can understand.......

If Americans are so stupid, they why is America the world's only superpower? It seems kind of contradictory and illogical to claim that the stupid rule the world.

That mentality is about the equivalent of "O'Doyle Rules!!!!" from Billy Madison

[SLCPUNK]

You are.........

You have to explain it so people can understand.......

It was just too much for me to bring myself to the keyboard to do it.............Although Q nailed it for me.

[Axls Locomotive]

So in other words, a country of Idiots is the world's superpower and most influential country.  It seems foolish to me that the "smart" people would allow themselves to be coerced and threatened by people who are intellectually inferior.    In the words of ol' Ben Kenobi, "Who's more foolish, the fool or the fool who follows the fool."

so what youre saying is America is coercing and threatening other countries?

[Kujo]

^ I cant wait for the answer to that one

[D]

so Americans are dumb if they dont know where the original CSI takes place?

I never watch that show.

[Kujo]

That was a stupid question for that test. Not sure what the point was. I'm glad I missed that one. The other 12 not so much

[SLCPUNK]

That was a stupid question for that test. Not sure what the point was. I'm glad I missed that one. The other 12 not so much

I think the point was that more people would know about the TV show then about more important facts. Which is probably true.

[Kujo]

They should have asked what city Jerry Springer films his show in, if thats their intent

[Guns N RockMusic]

So in other words, a country of Idiots is the world's superpower and most influential country.? It seems foolish to me that the "smart" people would allow themselves to be coerced and threatened by people who are intellectually inferior.? ? In the words of ol' Ben Kenobi, "Who's more foolish, the fool or the fool who follows the fool."

so what youre saying is America is coercing and threatening other countries?

Well yea.  Ever hear of economic sanctions?  How about peace keeping missions?  America uses its economy and military to secure its well being in the world.  I have no problem with this and even support it.  Thus why I'll be a commissioned officer in 2 months in the Army.

[Guns N RockMusic]

I just giggle everytime someone tries to point out how dumb and uneducated Americans are.? You never see an American poster trying to post some study claiming how unaware or uninformed some Europeans are.? It's funny that these media outlets have nothing better to do than try to report on America.? It just goes to show how important America is and how big its influence and control is over the rest of the world.

maybe because Europeans answered more questions correct than Americans

And where did you come to that conclusion?

[Axls Locomotive]

So in other words, a country of Idiots is the world's superpower and most influential country.  It seems foolish to me that the "smart" people would allow themselves to be coerced and threatened by people who are intellectually inferior.    In the words of ol' Ben Kenobi, "Who's more foolish, the fool or the fool who follows the fool."

so what youre saying is America is coercing and threatening other countries?

Well yea.  Ever hear of economic sanctions?  How about peace keeping missions?  America uses its economy and military to secure its well being in the world.  I have no problem with this and even support it.  Thus why I'll be a commissioned officer in 2 months in the Army.

secures its well being, yes, to the detriment of other countries yes...

well its good for you to have such a well defined job...frees you from the morality of your orders

[Axls Locomotive]

And where did you come to that conclusion?

previous surveys that involved other countries and their comparison...america was bottom of the list on one of them and on another they were near the bottom...the last 2 i remember

[D]

That test was easy
only questions I missed were the CSI one and I missed where one of those counties were located, the SRI something?? i had no idea

[Jagged Little Pill]

lol no one knows the csi one? i must be the only one...not somethin to be proud of though...lol sri lanka D..i only knew that one cuz i know someone whos parents are from there...but i got about 3 wrong.

[Krispy Kreme]

It is worse than you can imagine. I read a survey in US News and World Report that asked high schoold seniors in Los Angeles to find the US on blank map of the world, and one-half  could not! Think about  it: find the country in which you live! And one-half could  not. [Of  course, that  half  was from Mexico so they were  confused, but still, you would think they could find the country to which they migrated. This part is a  joke, the  rest is factual.] 

[JennaSide]

I missed a few (including the CSI one )  but I try to keep up-to-date with world news and I had a good enducation growing up. I went to private schools. Although, I'll admit I'm not too great with geography... 
In any case, it's the education system that's failing kids, but some of that is also our society's laziness. They'd rather play video games than watch the news. They'd rather read Cosmo than the newspaper. It's a selfish ignorance that people have - thinking they are the center of the universe and nothing else matters.

[Timothy]

It's a selfish ignorance that people have - thinking they are the center of the universe and nothing else matters.

Nah.

It's more like most people don't give two shits.

[SLCPUNK]

It's a selfish ignorance that people have - thinking they are the center of the universe and nothing else matters.

Nah.

It's more like most people don't give two shits.

selfish ignorance = don't give two shits ?

or

don't give two shits = selfish ignorance ?

[Timothy]

It's a selfish ignorance that people have - thinking they are the center of the universe and nothing else matters.

Nah.

It's more like most people don't give two shits.

selfish ignorance = don't give two shits ?

or

don't give two shits = selfish ignorance ?

don't give two shits = selfish ignorance


Even though I don't think it has any thing to do with selfish ignorance.Cause selfish ignorancewould be it doesn't have anything to do with you.Were just not giving two shits means you just don't care.


Hell I'm buzzed and don't really know what the hell i'm talking about.

[SLCPUNK]

Hell I'm buzzed and don't really know what the hell i'm talking about.

If it makes you feel any better, I am not buzzed and just as confused............

[Axls Locomotive]

im sure they werent forced to answer the questions...would people that dont care take the test?