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  1. #1

    Default Are people less informed of the present than the past?

    I think so when I look at this article. -> http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090615/...men_kidnapping

    Nine foreign hostages killed in Yemen

    SAN'A, Yemen – Nine missing foreigners in Yemen have been murdered, said a Yemeni official Monday, apparently executed by their kidnappers in the impoverished nation in the Arabian peninsula where al-Qaida has a strong presence.

    The nine foreigners, including seven German nationals, a Briton and a South Korean, disappeared last week while on a picnic in the restive northern Saada region of Yemen....
    I doubt they would've been there if they knew what was going to happen to them. They probably thought they'd be safe as long as they weren't Americans. This isn't the only time or country that this sort of tragedy happened either. I think it's because the news doesn't cover everything that happens in the world. We know more of the old world from history books than we do of modern events. The government or the media should do more to inform people.
    Last edited by Shaka_Khan; 06-17-2009 at 02:30.
    Wooooo!!!

  2. #2
    Darkside Medic Senior Member rory_20_uk's Avatar
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    Default Re: Are people less informed of the world than in the past?

    In the past most people had no information about the world even if they wanted it.

    Those that had access generally wern't that interested.

    A small goup of morons doesn't prove things one way or the other.

    An enemy that wishes to die for their country is the best sort to face - you both have the same aim in mind.
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  3. #3
    Corporate Hippie Member rasoforos's Avatar
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    Default Re: Are people less informed of the world than in the past?

    Picnic in Yemen?

    Surely no one can be that daft...

    ...especially people who live there...

    ...so maybe we are not seeing the whole story.
    Αξιζει φιλε να πεθανεις για ενα ονειρο, κι ας ειναι η φωτια του να σε καψει.

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  4. #4

    Default Re: Are people less informed of the world than in the past?

    No, people are way more informed.

  5. #5
    Master of Few Words Senior Member KukriKhan's Avatar
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    Default Re: Are people less informed of the world than in the past?

    Yemeni authorities said the group included a German doctor, his wife and their three children, as well as a Briton and his South Korean wife and two other German nationals. They were all working in a hospital in Saada, the state news agency said.
    They were all working there, not just mindless tourists trying for a cheap picnic. By definition, would they not be better-informed of risk than a 1950's do-gooder, or tourist?
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  6. #6

    Default Re: Are people less informed of the world than in the past?

    Quote Originally Posted by KukriKhan View Post
    They were all working there, not just mindless tourists trying for a cheap picnic. By definition, would they not be better-informed of risk than a 1950's do-gooder, or tourist?
    I still doubt they would've been there if they knew how risky the place was. It's the same with the workers in Iraq and Afghanistan. Now we all know the risks in those two countries because of what happened to those workers.
    Last edited by Shaka_Khan; 06-15-2009 at 18:12.
    Wooooo!!!

  7. #7
    Banned Kadagar_AV's Avatar
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    Default Re: Are people less informed of the world than in the past?

    No, people in average is more informed than in the past.

    However, there is soooooo much more information available today than in the past, and so much easier accesible... so those still ignorant just seem so very much more stupid in the eyes of those enlightened.

  8. #8
    Sovereign Oppressor Member TIE Fighter Shooter Champion, Turkey Shoot Champion, Juggler Champion Kralizec's Avatar
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    Default Re: Are people less informed of the world than in the past?

    Quote Originally Posted by KukriKhan View Post
    They were all working there, not just mindless tourists trying for a cheap picnic. By definition, would they not be better-informed of risk than a 1950's do-gooder, or tourist?
    I agree, they probably took a calculated risk and got unlucky. I assume that security there varies per region in Yemen. That these people were completely unaware of the dangers in the country seems rather unlikely.
    Last edited by Kralizec; 06-15-2009 at 18:52.

  9. #9
    ............... Member Scurvy's Avatar
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    Default Re: Are people less informed of the world than in the past?

    If anything, the opposite is true. People recieve so much information that it 'overloads.' ie. People are warned so much, that they become apethetic and ignore signs or advice.

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    Praefectus Fabrum Senior Member Anime BlackJack Champion, Flash Poker Champion, Word Up Champion, Shape Game Champion, Snake Shooter Champion, Fishwater Challenge Champion, Rocket Racer MX Champion, Jukebox Hero Champion, My House Is Bigger Than Your House Champion, Funky Pong Champion, Cutie Quake Champion, Fling The Cow Champion, Tiger Punch Champion, Virus Champion, Solitaire Champion, Worm Race Champion, Rope Walker Champion, Penguin Pass Champion, Skate Park Champion, Watch Out Champion, Lawn Pac Champion, Weapons Of Mass Destruction Champion, Skate Boarder Champion, Lane Bowling Champion, Bugz Champion, Makai Grand Prix 2 Champion, White Van Man Champion, Parachute Panic Champion, BlackJack Champion, Stans Ski Jumping Champion, Smaugs Treasure Champion, Sofa Longjump Champion Seamus Fermanagh's Avatar
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    Default Re: Are people less informed of the world than in the past?

    Much MORE information is available, but it would be more difficult to assert that BETTER information is available. For example, I just googled "dinosaur steaks" and got 487 results.

    Many more people are literate and capable of accessing the information that is out there, but many choose ignorance (not by evil intent, just by focusing on their own immediate goals/needs).
    "The only way that has ever been discovered to have a lot of people cooperate together voluntarily is through the free market. And that's why it's so essential to preserving individual freedom.” -- Milton Friedman

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  11. #11
    master of the pwniverse Member Fragony's Avatar
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    Default Re: Are people less informed of the world than in the past?

    Quote Originally Posted by rasoforos View Post
    Picnic in Yemen?

    Surely no one can be that daft...
    lol it it is normal that people let theirselves be kidnapped in yemen, public secret.

  12. #12
    Corporate Hippie Member rasoforos's Avatar
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    Default Re: Are people less informed of the world than in the past?

    Quote Originally Posted by Fragony View Post
    lol it it is normal that people let theirselves be kidnapped in yemen, public secret.
    Thinks of answering...

    ....thinks better. You will understand eventually.
    Αξιζει φιλε να πεθανεις για ενα ονειρο, κι ας ειναι η φωτια του να σε καψει.

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  13. #13
    master of the pwniverse Member Fragony's Avatar
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    Default Re: Are people less informed of the world than in the past?

    Quote Originally Posted by rasoforos View Post
    Thinks of answering...

    ....thinks better. You will understand eventually.
    tourists in yemen allow theirselves to be kidnapped, wanna bet?

  14. #14
    Corporate Hippie Member rasoforos's Avatar
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    Default Re: Are people less informed of the world than in the past?

    Sorry but I will not enable you.
    Αξιζει φιλε να πεθανεις για ενα ονειρο, κι ας ειναι η φωτια του να σε καψει.

    http://grumpygreekguy.tumblr.com/

  15. #15
    Poll Smoker Senior Member CountArach's Avatar
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    Default Re: Are people less informed of the world than in the past?

    The mere fact that we know that they were taken hostage shows we know more.
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  16. #16

    Default Re: Are people less informed of the world than in the past?

    In the past people were not informed because there was no information circulated among the public in the first place.

    Today people are bombarded with an excess of useless information in circulation where people are now more knowledgeable then ever before, but only about celebrities and their friends' last status update.

    So no, the ignorance of the world around them is about equal, but for the exact opposite reasons.


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