America the Ignorant

[needimprovement]

Article from Newsweek Magazine

 

http://www.newsweek.com/photo/2010/08/24/dumb-things-americans-believe.html

[iNow]

And what about it did you wish to discuss?

 

It is an interesting article, though... so thanks for sharing... despite the despair it causes to grow and strengthen deep within me.

[AzurePhoenix]

I find the irony of the post a sufficient counterweight to the despair.

 

Yes, large portions of the US seem to revel in delusion and ignorance the way a raccoon does a sushi dumpster. Point?

[Ophiolite]

Two Saturdays ago I went to the Houston zoo where I was amused by the sometimes inexplicable actions of a variety of animals. I had much the same reaction on reading the linked article.

[ParanoiA]

Most americans, through religion and our culture, are taught from a very young age exactly how to believe in things without any evidence. We prime their psychology to romanticize dogmatic adherence to unsubstantiated beliefs; we reward blind faith with honor and purity. It's no wonder it's so easy to fool us, we've been trained for it right out of the womb.

[Marat]

The data might not be so depressing as they appear, for it could be that the same bottom 25% subscribes to all the delusions surveyed, so it is not as if nearly everyone in America is dumb, just that a minority are very dumb.

 

That said, sociologists have been asking for a long time why America "is the only first-world country with a third-world cultural niveau?" When I moved from the U.S. to Britain at age 28, I was shocked at how much higher the general intellectual level of the country was than what I had become familiar with in the U.S., and later, when I moved to Germany, I was surprised at how much more intelligent the culture was than Britain's. Is this difference due to America's extreme religiosity, to its large and still unassimilated culture of new immigrants, to the dilution of its intellectual quality by the over-expansion of university education, to its excessive capitalism with its attendant decline of all cultural products to the lowest cultural denominator, where the market is broadest, to the anti-intellectualism of its brand of populist democracy? Probably it is the result of all these factors.

[Mr Skeptic]

I think that at least some of these polls must be due to people purposely answering incorrectly. I mean, ask a dumb question, get a dumb answer. Who doesn't know that the earth revolves around the sun? Maybe a poll could measure how likely people are to purposefully answer incorrectly?

[CaptainPanic]

Perhaps only sideways related... but I would like to add that worldwide, our heads are being filled with crap.

 

Like many Americans don't know most European countries or their capitals, I cannot name most American states (I'm happy to get to 25) or their capitals (probably less than 10).

 

... However, I still remember the name, and even the music tune used in the commercial, of a detergent that has already disappeared from the supermarket shelves for 10 years! That kind of information is just pure head-pollution. I don't even want to know it!

 

Imagine the knowledge that could be pumped into people's heads if only 1 out of 10 advertisements on TV contained useful information (non-profit) rather than an advertisement.

I bet that even the most ignorant American can name at least 10 detergents, 3 brands of pizza delivery, 2 brands of famous cola, 10 brands of beer, 5 insurance companies, 5 different painkillers, 3 phone companies, etc, etc. Just imagine if we wouldn't spend all that time on advertisements, but we would just voluntarily listen to actual useful and objective facts and explanations.

[needimprovement]

Big deal is?

 

* Half the world calls him a Muslim.

* Most of the world still believes in creationism proportionally as much as North American's

do.

* They have all sorts of superstitions and beliefs in Ghosts.

* End of life is a fact of life in Socialist health care systems.

* Mobile Biological breeders were found in Iraq.

* Everyone knows the world and the sun revolves around them.

* I don't got a answer for this one, OLD Testament anyone?

* The Supreme Court is not a popularity contest, I wouldn't be surprised if most of them

that knew

names if Justices is because of the NRA ratings.

* Geographical literacy all over the world is dropping. Did you know 80% of Europeans think

Canada and the

US are the same country?

* Only Immigrants need to know that one.

* Using religion as a blanket to hide from, is only done in North America, everywhere else

they'll arrest you,

toss you in a cell and deport you at best if your caught spreading hate in the guise of

religion. Many places

simply execute you.

* The same thing twice?

Edited August 31, 2010 by needimprovement

[ParanoiA]

Perhaps only sideways related... but I would like to add that worldwide, our heads are being filled with crap.

 

Like many Americans don't know most European countries or their capitals, I cannot name most American states (I'm happy to get to 25) or their capitals (probably less than 10).

 

... However, I still remember the name, and even the music tune used in the commercial, of a detergent that has already disappeared from the supermarket shelves for 10 years! That kind of information is just pure head-pollution. I don't even want to know it!

 

Imagine the knowledge that could be pumped into people's heads if only 1 out of 10 advertisements on TV contained useful information (non-profit) rather than an advertisement.

I bet that even the most ignorant American can name at least 10 detergents, 3 brands of pizza delivery, 2 brands of famous cola, 10 brands of beer, 5 insurance companies, 5 different painkillers, 3 phone companies, etc, etc. Just imagine if we wouldn't spend all that time on advertisements, but we would just voluntarily listen to actual useful and objective facts and explanations.

 

Uh...where to hunt and gather, for the best resources is useless information?

 

No, I think the useless info bit is following celebrity asshats on twitter. Have you witnessed primtetime TV lately? The business of the country, too much fast food, communications with overpriced gadgets and etc is at least useful for survival - but enabling someone named Snookie to get rich being tan and stupid is where the real waste of brain space is happening.

[CaptainPanic]

Uh...where to hunt and gather, for the best resources is useless information?

 

No, I think the useless info bit is following celebrity asshats on twitter. Have you witnessed primtetime TV lately? The business of the country, too much fast food, communications with overpriced gadgets and etc is at least useful for survival - but enabling someone named Snookie to get rich being tan and stupid is where the real waste of brain space is happening.

We understand each other, but I am perhaps already an exception that I don't allow myself to see such useless TV. And I do consider repetitive advertisements for something that I don't want or need useless.

 

I no longer have cable TV. I recently moved, and I just couldn't be bothered to get cable TV. TV is such utter crap nowadays... even the shows themselves are void of useful information. Even the shows that call themselves "scientific" (discovery and national geographic are the ones on cable TV in the Netherlands) are just 3x5 minutes of advertisement where the "information" density is high, and then 3x15 minutes where you learn practically nothing, so that your brain gets some rest before the next advertisements.

 

I watch online streaming videos. That allows me to watch whatever I want, whenever I want, with hardly any advertisements... although I bet that'll change drastically before the next decade is over. But anyway, computers give me a lot more power to watch what I want, and to avoid watching all that I don't want to know.

 

So, no, I haven't watched primetime celebrity TV, but I can imagine how terrible it must be.

 

Anyway, my main point is that with the average quality of information as terrible as it is, it's not fair to blame the individuals for their ignorance.

[dragonstar57]

the average American has probably at least a 5 terabytes worth of infomercials commercials political adds

story plots to movies,books,cartoons memories and just for the most part useless information.

I until recently i belied in ESP

and the 9/11conspiracy theory doesn't seem that out there

but thats the topic for another thread

[Saryctos]

I really do think that the largest factor contributing to the populace's ignorance is the removal of personal responsibility and individuality. If you don't do exactly as you're told, in the event that you cause someone injury or harm you become liable. The very instinct to do as your told, no matter how stupid it sounds, comes from the problem that in most situations your actions are protected by law. However, if you attempt to act in a self serving, intelligent manner, and manage to screw up, you're on your own, sorry. Follow the guidelines next time, but until then fork out the settlement money. This reliance on "going with the flow" to protect yourself from the dangers of attempting to succeed have destroyed the American will to accomplish anything beyond what we've been told we can do (in most of the population).

 

In regards to the religiosity being the cause, I find it the other way around. People cling to the voice of their community as a way to distance themselves from the consequences of their actions. In this way, people with that "holier than thou", extremist style, of thought, are hiding behind their adherence to religious values to avoid any criticism of their activities.

Edited August 31, 2010 by Saryctos

[A Tripolation]

I think it only has to do with the fact that people only absorb what they need to know or find interesting. Or annoying. I myself, have no idea where Afghanistan would be on a map, or Iraq for that matter. I pretty much suck at geography outside the U.S. I've never needed to know it, nor do I ever commit the location to memory when I watch the nightly news. I probably should, but I don't. I would say this holds true with a lot of these things. People are just apathetic towards many of these matters.

[CaptainPanic]

I really do think that the largest factor contributing to the populace's ignorance is the removal of personal responsibility and individuality. If you don't do exactly as you're told, in the event that you cause someone injury or harm you become liable. The very instinct to do as your told, no matter how stupid it sounds, comes from the problem that in most situations your actions are protected by law. However, if you attempt to act in a self serving, intelligent manner, and manage to screw up, you're on your own, sorry. Follow the guidelines next time, but until then fork out the settlement money. This reliance on "going with the flow" to protect yourself from the dangers of attempting to succeed have destroyed the American will to accomplish anything beyond what we've been told we can do (in most of the population).

 

In regards to the religiosity being the cause, I find it the other way around. People cling to the voice of their community as a way to distance themselves from the consequences of their actions. In this way, people with that "holier than thou", extremist style, of thought, are hiding behind their adherence to religious values to avoid any criticism of their activities.

While I agree that most of what you write is true, I disagree that this is the main factor of ignorance.

 

The definition of ignorant is "lacking in knowledge or training" or "an adjective describing a person in the state of being unaware and is often used as an insult".

 

I agree that most people are probably unaware of the fact that they blindly follow some stupid rules, as a simplistic form of self defense against the system. But their main reason for ignorance is still a lack of useful facts about the world they live in.

 

I think it only has to do with the fact that people only absorb what they need to know or find interesting. Or annoying. I myself, have no idea where Afghanistan would be on a map, or Iraq for that matter. I pretty much suck at geography outside the U.S. I've never needed to know it, nor do I ever commit the location to memory when I watch the nightly news. I probably should, but I don't. I would say this holds true with a lot of these things. People are just apathetic towards many of these matters.

I really, really hope that you took the effort to go on Wikipedia, Google Maps, or any other source, to look up where Afghanistan and Iraq are on the map, in relation to other places that you know.

If, despite sitting behind a computer with internet, despite discussing the topic of ignorance, and despite specifically mentioning a gap in your knowledge, you did not look this up, you're not just ignorant - you're a fool.

[vordhosbn]

Big deal is?

 

* Half the world calls him a Muslim.

Uhhh, what?

 

* Most of the world still believes in creationism proportionally as much as North American's

do.

FYI, "most of the world" is China and they are governed by an atheist communist party.

 

* Geographical literacy all over the world is dropping. Did you know 80% of Europeans think

Canada and the

US are the same country?

Really? Are you sure... because i am European, and somehow i highly doubt that...

[CaptainPanic]

* Geographical literacy all over the world is dropping. Did you know 80% of Europeans think

Canada and the

US are the same country?

 

Really? Are you sure... because i am European, and somehow i highly doubt that...

 

Me too. Care to give a reference? I've traveled in most European countries, and people tend to know a thing or two about the world outside their own borders.

I'd believe if you would have said that only 80% of Europeans know that Canada and the USA are two separate countries (and only 20% think it's the same, or haven't even heard of Canada).

 

But 80%? I think you just made that up yourself.

[Ophiolite]

I really, really hope that you took the effort to go on Wikipedia, Google Maps, or any other source, to look up where Afghanistan and Iraq are on the map, in relation to other places that you know.

If, despite sitting behind a computer with internet, despite discussing the topic of ignorance, and despite specifically mentioning a gap in your knowledge, you did not look this up, you're not just ignorant - you're a fool.

Based upon A Tripolation's own statements, it is unlikely that he knows of any places outside the US, apart from a vague sense of Europe and China. It also seems rather likely that he has zero idea of the history of these places and how that impacts upon their current conditions, problems and outlook. It does seem a shame that with such committed apathy in these key areas that the apathy does not extend to expressing opinions that can have little basis in fact.

[CaptainPanic]

Based upon A Tripolation's own statements, it is unlikely that he knows of any places outside the US, apart from a vague sense of Europe and China. It also seems rather likely that he has zero idea of the history of these places and how that impacts upon their current conditions, problems and outlook. It does seem a shame that with such committed apathy in these key areas that the apathy does not extend to expressing opinions that can have little basis in fact.

But... that's rather easily solved by looking at maps (commercial, but good site), right?

Take a look at a world map, a map of Asia, a map of South America and North & Central America, a map of Africa (ok, nobody cares about Africa - poor people who live there).

 

I mean, if you do that every now and then, at some point you remember. If you read, and comment on, a thread about not knowing anything about international politics, and geography - and you realize that, then why not take a quick look what Google has to offer????

 

And if you have kids: to them a favor, and place a map of the world on the wall somewhere near where they play. I learned all the countries of the world just because I stared at that map every now and then for a number of years.

Edited September 1, 2010 by CaptainPanic

[Mr Skeptic]

And if you have kids: to them a favor, and place a map of the world on the wall somewhere near where they play. I learned all the countries of the world just because I stared at that map every now and then for a number of years.

 

Good call. I should do this for myself too. And for biochem I have to memorize all 20 amino acids. I guess I never really thought about putting it somewhere it will be seen every day.

[Pangloss]

I agree, not having information is one thing; not seeking it is another.

 

But calling someone a fool is not conducive to a good conversation. Let's bear that in mind, please.

[CharonY]

I find the irony of the post a sufficient counterweight to the despair.

 

Yes, large portions of the US seem to revel in delusion and ignorance the way a raccoon does a sushi dumpster. Point?

 

 

Big deal is?

 

* Half the world calls him a Muslim.

* Most of the world still believes in creationism proportionally as much as North American's

do.

* They have all sorts of superstitions and beliefs in Ghosts.

* End of life is a fact of life in Socialist health care systems.

* Mobile Biological breeders were found in Iraq.

* Everyone knows the world and the sun revolves around them.

* I don't got a answer for this one, OLD Testament anyone?

* The Supreme Court is not a popularity contest, I wouldn't be surprised if most of them

that knew

names if Justices is because of the NRA ratings.

* Geographical literacy all over the world is dropping. Did you know 80% of Europeans think

Canada and the

US are the same country?

* Only Immigrants need to know that one.

* Using religion as a blanket to hide from, is only done in North America, everywhere else

they'll arrest you,

toss you in a cell and deport you at best if your caught spreading hate in the guise of

religion. Many places

simply execute you.

* The same thing twice?

 

Ah, the deliciousness of it.

[A Tripolation]

I agree, not having information is one thing; not seeking it is another.

 

But calling someone a fool is not conducive to a good conversation. Let's bear that in mind, please.

 

Thank you, Pangloss. I do not consider myself a fool, so I was surprised to read that. It's true that I know nothing of geography, but that doesn't make me anything other than admittedly ignorant.

 

And to CaptainPanic, I wasn't professing any great knowledge on those regions. I was simply using my own personal reasons for "remaining" ignorant on some things to explain my opinion on why some people do not believe in a heliocentric solar system.

 

And I have since looked it up. I said, "Oh, of course," and went back to the studying required by my major. No need to be mean.

Edited September 1, 2010 by A Tripolation

[padren]

I guess I consider myself lucky that at an early age, I felt that understanding the principles of how the world works and is interconnected was my best survival strategy. I can almost understand why people would get a lot of those wrong - as mentioned earlier, most of these things don't factor as priority information for a lot of people. I personally disagree with the idea that "it doesn't matter where Iraq is" but I can understand why someone living in a strong red or blue state (ie, almost any state in the union) would feel entirely like giving up on politics, foreign wars and who's on the supreme court. I think it's an attitude that helps create the problem it's a response to and a very bad survival strategy, but it does kinda make sense.

 

Blatantly wrong facts though are really worse than the ignorance though. As bad as it is to say "I don't know, I don't follow that" about an important topic, picking answers to suit a delusion of choice is what really disturbs me

 

PS:

Regarding NeedsImprovement's list, I think that the line item "* Everyone knows the world and the sun revolves around them." implies the entire list was sarcastic.

[A Tripolation]

I personally disagree with the idea that "it doesn't matter where Iraq is" but I can understand why someone living in a strong red or blue state (ie, almost any state in the union) would feel entirely like giving up on politics, foreign wars and who's on the supreme court.

 

Hm. Why? Why is it important to know? I know that it's in the Middle East. I know that they are in turmoil due to the fact that tribal civilization still reigns supreme and that religion is a major cause/catalyst to most conflicts. I know that the Islams in that area are oft divided on many issues. But I don't understand why knowing Iraq borders Syria is instrumental in my being able to cope with the world.

 

I know most of the names of the Justices. I deemed that knowledge worthy of remembering, because I link names with 'ideology' and those nine people make some of the most important decisions in the nation. But knowing Iraq is 169,234 square miles? Not so important.