thanks to
I’ve seen first hand how geographically illiterate a lot of Americans are. In California people thought Nova Scotia was a country east of Canada. Seriously.
In a nation called the world’s superpower, only 17 percent of young adults in the United States could find Afghanistan on a map, according to a new worldwide survey released today.
About 11 percent of young citizens of the U.S. couldn’t even locate the U.S. on a map. The Pacific Ocean’s location was a mystery to 29 percent; Japan, to 58 percent; France, to 65 percent; and the United Kingdom, to 69 percent.
Despite the threat of war in Iraq and the daily reports of suicide bombers in Israel, less than 15 percent of the young U.S. citizens could locate either country.
Particularly humiliating was that all countries were better able to identify the U.S. population than many young U.S. citizens. Within the U.S., almost one-third said that population was between one billion and two billion; the answer is 289 million.
Tell me this, how can a nation feel justified in going off to kill innocents in countries that the the majority can’t even find on a map???
Sorry for so many seemingly anti-American posts today… there’s just a lot of bullshit going on that people need to know about so that you can change it.
Oh, yes, those questions were very simple. I was able to get 20/20. Try it for yourself at the link. 🙂
16 comments on “Geographic Illiteracy”
20/20
I’m 20 for 20 and a Californian….hmmmmm….Yes America sucks…but you know what I get to be wire tapped and my freedom taken away from me..and you know what else…my education sucks becuase so does my government…but you know what I don’t bash other countries…I don’t simply for the fact that people are cruel…a fact we all know…don’t add to the cruelty…I’m not blind to the shitty things my government does…but there are people here in the US that are fighting for change… I dont’ want my children growing up in blood….too bad my hands are already covered.
Re: 20/20
I really don’t mean any cruelty, just to show some facts that mass media will ignore, in hopes people wake up.
Re: 20/20
Media..the weapon of mass distraction…
(((((((((((About 11 percent of young citizens of the U.S. couldn’t even locate the U.S. on a map. The Pacific Ocean’s location was a mystery to 29 percent; Japan, to 58 percent; France, to 65 percent; and the United Kingdom, to 69 percent.
Despite the threat of war in Iraq and the daily reports of suicide bombers in Israel, less than 15 percent of the young U.S. citizens could locate either country.
Particularly humiliating was that all countries were better able to identify the U.S. population than many young U.S. citizens. Within the U.S., almost one-third said that population was between one billion and two billion; the answer is 289 million. ))))))))
~hahahahaha……. so damn true!!
I’m an “American” and I know first hand how true all of that really is.
and…
I just read the first comment and I would like to say that I took no offense. I know you did not make that post with any bad intention. I also applaud you for posting these statements and other similar ones. People do need to wake up and I think it’s great that you are trying to persuade them to do so.
Re: and…
I’m glad you see it that way.
I really have nothing but the greatest respect for many Americans, and I’m dating one, of course, so I don’t mean it as an attack on anything other than the government and maybe dulled senses.
Should someone point out injustices here in Canada I would be better off to know about it and have the chance to do something. I think someone looking from the outside is often able to have more insight in some areas.
Re: and…
hehe if you like the things he is posting you should have been there for some of the conversations he and I had in High School 🙂 I am pretty sure there isn’t a subject we didn’t cover.
Re: and…
Yea I was always trying to talk about real issues in highschool but the only ones who actually had anything to say were the ones tripping on acid… but alas, I’m out of highschool and have actually managed to find some people who actually care and have opinions of some depth… opposed to just repeating what their “daddy said” which is what many of the little college kids who claim to be so involved do… fucken republicans.. oh shit, here I go again offending everyone. fuck. *shutten up NOW!
Re: and…
lol don’t worry, I’m sure few republicans will read my journal. 😉
I’m not very in touch with the people here at my university, but I’m sure many are ill-informed. Then again, we do have a rather diverse school, with people from over a hundred countries.
opinions are great
I will make sure that my children are as informed as possible. That way they can’t say “daddy said” They can say ” I have done my research and this is my opinion.”
Let the republicans be offended. If they are let them post here and convince us of their views. We’re all about free speech.
Re: opinions are great
“That way they can’t say “daddy said” They can say ” I have done my research and this is my opinion.”
That right there.. is a beautiful thing.
~Normally I wouldn’t care if I pissed off ppl by my opinions but I try to be respectful of other ppl’s ljs. I don’t want to cause shit for any one else ya know. But if he’s cool with me posting whatever, than I just may do so… But you have all been warned lol. 🙂
Re: opinions are great
We both are cool with you posting whatever you want in our journals. The more people post their opinions the more we have to talk about. }:-)>
Re: opinions are great
Kick Ass
Re: opinions are great
lol I certainly won’t object to anything you write here. I’m always open to others’ opinions of go ahead and say what you think whenever. 🙂
I know you, and I know you would never be so blind as to bash a country just to hurt the people living in it. The Media is definatly the biggest problem they just report things, with no care about wether it is true or not. I have to say that we are very lucky to have the news programs that we have. When I spent the summer down in Ohio I watched the news a lot.
I got a 20/20 also 🙂
I think a big advantage we have is the accessability of international news sources… CBC, CTV, CNN,BBC and others help us to have a larger range of information.