Are we really all that dumb

[Gawain of Orkeny]

I went to America only once, but I was amazed by the people I met there. Most of them did not have a clue about what was happening in the world, and I'm fairly sure my 13 years old brother was less ignorant than some 20 years old people I met.

By the world again you mean europe. They probably know as much about whats happening in the US as you do about whats happening in Europe and my 13 year old nephew probably knows more about whats going on in the US than you do. Does that make you more ignorant?

[Don Corleone]

I don't think Meneldil & others are referring to the average American's knowledge of European current events, per se. I think they're expressing a belief that Americans do not take the time to learn about Israel, about the Middle East at large, about Chechnya, about Africa or other parts of the globe. I honestly don't know if Americans more informed than Europeans about global events or less, but I do know Americans are more informed about them than Europeans think Americans are.

I also fail to see how knowledge of current events makes one more knowledgeable at large.

[Byzantine Prince]

This discussion has degenerated into mindless drivell. I for one want this stupid thread closed now.

[Proletariat]

You didn't find the first 50 posts (all a different version of the exact same answer) wildly stimulating, BP?

[Gawain of Orkeny]

I think they're expressing a belief that Americans do not take the time to learn about Israel, about the Middle East at large,

Ids say the shoes on the other foot judging by whats posted on that topic on these boards by many Europeans.

And again thats much further from our shores than say Mexico which most americans probably know more about than do Europeans since it influences us more. We all pay more attention to what affects us the most.

[Don Corleone]

This discussion has degenerated into mindless drivell. I for one want this stupid thread closed now.

What exactly is your issue with the thread BP? I see people on different sides expressing their views honestly, and then you arriving on the scene to declare it all to be mindless drivel. Would you do us the courtesy of explaining why, oh great wise one? Your humble subjects have little insight into the workings of your great & mysterious mind...

[Gawain of Orkeny]

This discussion has degenerated into mindless drivell.

I have to agree with BP here. At least it did as soon as he arrived.

[Byzantine Prince]

What exactly is your issue with the thread BP? I see people on different sides expressing their views honestly, and then you arriving on the scene to declare it all to be mindless drivel. Would you do us the courtesy of explaining why, oh great wise one? Your humble subjects have little insight into the workings of your great & mysterious mind...

Does it really need explaining? *sigh*

The very concept "Are we really that dumb" is dumb. Who is dumb? Saying Americans are dumb is about as insightful as saying Chinese are smart, Canadians are mounties, New Zealanders are sheepshagers. It's pretty much the same worthless argument.

I posted something similar to this before in this thread but nobody bothered to read it or even care. They rather go on and on "well europeans are not better, and blah blah blah...". That's why it should be closed.

[Samurai Waki]

Generally speaking, I can have a conversation with a British Person about something like tax-reformation/Economics just fine, when I have a conversation with most other Americans it involves Alcohol/Woman/Cars, this isn't to say we aren't dumber than Europeans we just have different priorities

[Divinus Arma]

Does it really need explaining? *sigh*

The very concept "Are we really that dumb" is dumb. Who is dumb? Saying Americans are dumb is about as insightful as saying Chinese are smart, Canadians are mounties, New Zealanders are sheepshagers. It's pretty much the same worthless argument.

I posted something similar to this before in this thread but nobody bothered to read it or even care. They rather go on and on "well europeans are not better, and blah blah blah...". That's why it should be closed.

I just answered the poll on your behavior. I picked "behavior is deteriorating and BP should be banned right now. YES RIGHT NOW!"


I personally think this has been a stimulating, interesting, and appropriate topic. The various sides have been discussed with dignity and respect for the most part. Except for BP. Who should be banned. Yes. right now.

[Divinus Arma]

I think it would be interesting to find out the required level of world history education for both America and Europe.

America, for example, requires formal instruction on world history through to American Independance. From there, the focus is on America, but events outside the states that relate to America or are massive in scale are also taught.

I'd becasue curious to know how much foriegn countries teach their citizens of America's history and it's role in world peace and stability throughout history. I would also be interested in how this information is presented, especially so in Germany, France, and England.

[discovery1]

This discussion has degenerated into mindless drivell. I for one want this stupid thread closed now.

Am I right in thinking you think that we are all dumb then?

[Louis VI the Fat]

We don't seem to have a clear definition of 'ignorance'.
To me, a highly intelligent or even highly educated person can still be ignorant. Education levels especially can be measured easily - see Prole's link.

But it's about more than that. It's also about more than being aware of what happens outside one's countries borders.

A bit late perhaps, but what would be a good definition of the ignorance - or lack thereoff - we are talking about here?

[Don Corleone]

Well, that's a fair point Louis. I guess I'd begin by asking does an intimate knowledge of current events outside one's own country make one 'informed' and a lack thereof make one 'uninformed'? Are some areas of the world more important to know about than others?

But in general, I'd say I'm looking for how closely do relative groups of people approach the goal of the 'renaissance man'. This thread has focused mostly on current events, but when it hasn't, technology/ math&science knowledge have been tossed about. What about history, both one's own and external to one's country? Literature? Art? Medicine?

And I'm not talking about the contributions of the USA or Europe, but what does the average American or average European know about these topics?

[Gawain of Orkeny]

But it's about more than that. It's also about more than being aware of what happens outside one's countries borders.

Again your comoparing apples to oranges here. Our borders are much larger than yours. We know more about whats happening between our states borders than you do. Its all relative. You know more of whats happening in say sweden but I know more of whats happening in Texas lets say. The fact that you have "nations" while we have states dosent make you more knowledgeble on the world but on your corner of it the same as we.