What Do You Know?

Lon · Post by **Lon** » Mon May 30, 2005 8:21 am

I am of the opinion, that compared to the rest of the world, most of my fellow Americans knowledge of Geography is pathetic. And that goes for general knowledge of World Affairs as well. I have heard American tourists say that they will take the bridge over to Australia from New Zealand (it's three hours by jet), or of the opinion that New Zealand is a state of Australia, like Tasmania. Most Americans have no understanding of Socialism and equate it with Communism.

The rest of the world however seems to be better informed about not only geography, but World Affairs as well. Why is this important you might ask? We are not a isolationist country. There is interdependence, and knowing what is going on in the rest of the world is paramount to being a well informed citizen from a political standpoint. We can't dismiss other nations by saying, "It doesn't matter what they think". It does matter. Anyone that has traveled abroad and stayed for a while, and visited with the locals, knows what I am saying

BTS · Post by **BTS** » Mon May 30, 2005 8:37 am

Lon wrote: I am of the opinion, that compared to the rest of the world, most of my fellow Americans knowledge of Geography is pathetic. And that goes for general knowledge of World Affairs as well. I have heard American tourists say that they will take the bridge over to Australia from New Zealand (it's three hours by jet), or of the opinion that New Zealand is a state of Australia, like Tasmania. Most Americans have no understanding of Socialism and equate it with Communism.

The rest of the world however seems to be better informed about not only geography, but World Affairs as well. Why is this important you might ask? We are not a isolationist country. There is interdependence, and knowing what is going on in the rest of the world is paramount to being a well informed citizen from a political standpoint. We can't dismiss other nations by saying, "It doesn't matter what they think". It does matter. Anyone that has traveled abroad and stayed for a while, and visited with the locals, knows what I am saying
Lon I think you need to address this to our touchy feely people who have hijacked our school system and the curriculum that they teach now.

I would be refering to the teachers unions and school boards.

I bet a home schooled student would be able to answer most of your questions asked.

john8pies · Post by **john8pies** » Mon May 30, 2005 10:19 am

Don`t know how accurate your generalisations are about people`s knowledge etc but generally speaking I too am appalled by the apparent lack of knowledge about even basic things (eg, question on a TV programme last night, `Name a country` ..Answer, `AFrica`..Er, excuse me, but isn`t Africa actually a CONTINENT and not a country?!)

Lon · Post by **Lon** » Mon May 30, 2005 10:43 am

It's funny to hear some Americans that have been on a 14 day cruise that visited 8 countries all of a sudden become an expert on each country. The ship puts into port for 12 hours and the tourists go running off to various tourist traps for the day. Ah yes they will say "I know all about Denmark". Gimme a break. I don't mean to pick on my fellow citizens, but this is what much of the rest of the world thinks, and is sometimes too polite to express it.

gmc · Post by **gmc** » Mon May 30, 2005 12:24 pm

I think you are being uncharitable-it's a bit different when you can hop on a plane and an hour later be in a foreign country or hop in a car and nip over the border in to italy for a pizza. I have the rather ludicrous situation where I can get a package holiday for two cheaper than having a holiday at home. Mond you touring abroad is expensive if you take your own car-one of the minor drawbacks of living in the wild wooly north. Many of my countrymen go abroad each year yet have never explored their own country.

capt_buzzard · Post by **capt_buzzard** » Mon May 30, 2005 12:55 pm

The Irish tend to head for Spain, Greese and Malta, for wine women and song. And they know bugger all about Ireland, or even want to, except the nationalists few

minks · Post by **minks** » Mon May 30, 2005 1:08 pm

ahahahaha this so makes me laugh, but as a hobby I love geography and map reading etc.

But

I once had a pen pal and husband come visit from Germany. They originally thought, they would fly into Montreal, rent a travel trailer and drive to Calgary. And I wrote back. Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo for 2 weeks you must either decide to visit eastern Canada or western Canada as they only had a short period of time, and driving through our prairies is Dead Dull, OMG shoot yourself before thinking to do that. Sooo ok they fly into Calgary. Well, while here they think ok lets rent a car and take a trip to Vancouver we can make it a day trip. Bwahhh hawww hawww I laughed at them hardily. (and yes they were insulted) as Calgary to Vancouver is a 10 - 13 hour drive, depending on traffic, weather and road construction. Sooo they did not take that day trip, so instead thought they would just buzz up to Edmonton on a day trip, again snigger snigger I told them they need to book a nite in a hotel as it is 3 hours away. Good lord by the time they were done, I had them understanding that the UK fits into our province 3 times as a spacial comparison. They were shocked yet happy to learn a bit more about geography.

And saying that, I must say schooling here is such that kids don't get much of a concept of geography. Unless they travel they seem to be totally unaware of the concept of city, province, country, continent. Yikes why, I have no idea. Likely because they focus on learning about Japan and Russia..... crazy.