How stupid are we?
I read recently a study conducted by National Geographic, on the literacy and overall knowledge of young americans age 18-24 and it was pretty scary i tell ya, here is the jist of it.
74% of people said that English was the most widely spoken language in China. (wth?)
74% have traveled to another state in the past year, but 7 in 10 haven't traveled abroad in the past 3 years.
Only 2 in 10 have a passport.
54% of young americans dont know that Sudan is a country in Africa.
Only 37% of young Americans can find Iraq on a map—though U.S. troops have been there since 2003.
6 in 10 young Americans don't speak a foreign language fluently.
20% of young Americans think Sudan is in Asia. (It's the largest country in Africa.)
48% of young Americans believe the majority population in India is Muslim. (It's Hindu—by a landslide.)
Half of young Americans can't find New York on a map.
-- This truly explains alot, and illustrates how people around the world are outperforming Americans left and right, and we wonder why we lose jobs overseas. We have an education problem in the U.S. because it's non-existent in regards to foreign affairs, history and culture.
More than likely, we had to take spanish or french maybe german but those classes didn't truly acculturate or educate the youth, its just like another english class in another language, thats all.
we act like we are the only country in the world and that we shouldnt be involved in international affairs or at least know where these countries are.
Young people are ignorant as to where Darfur is, and Iraq, so the odds of them being cognizant to whats going on, are alot less likely and that explains alot.
here is the link so you can read the report for yourself:
http://www9.nationalgeographic.com/roper2006/findings.html
In closing, Education is essential to any society. It dictates social norms and behaviors. And it looks like to compete in this global world, we need to understand the world and study it.
If a person reads this, and decides not to fall into the bunch with the others they are already getting a leg up on 'THE FUTURE' its a necessity in today's world.
74% of people said that English was the most widely spoken language in China. (wth?)
74% have traveled to another state in the past year, but 7 in 10 haven't traveled abroad in the past 3 years.
Only 2 in 10 have a passport.
54% of young americans dont know that Sudan is a country in Africa.
Only 37% of young Americans can find Iraq on a map—though U.S. troops have been there since 2003.
6 in 10 young Americans don't speak a foreign language fluently.
20% of young Americans think Sudan is in Asia. (It's the largest country in Africa.)
48% of young Americans believe the majority population in India is Muslim. (It's Hindu—by a landslide.)
Half of young Americans can't find New York on a map.
-- This truly explains alot, and illustrates how people around the world are outperforming Americans left and right, and we wonder why we lose jobs overseas. We have an education problem in the U.S. because it's non-existent in regards to foreign affairs, history and culture.
More than likely, we had to take spanish or french maybe german but those classes didn't truly acculturate or educate the youth, its just like another english class in another language, thats all.
we act like we are the only country in the world and that we shouldnt be involved in international affairs or at least know where these countries are.
Young people are ignorant as to where Darfur is, and Iraq, so the odds of them being cognizant to whats going on, are alot less likely and that explains alot.
here is the link so you can read the report for yourself:
http://www9.nationalgeographic.com/roper2006/findings.html
In closing, Education is essential to any society. It dictates social norms and behaviors. And it looks like to compete in this global world, we need to understand the world and study it.
If a person reads this, and decides not to fall into the bunch with the others they are already getting a leg up on 'THE FUTURE' its a necessity in today's world.
posted by Alphaprimer at
5/06/2006 05:57:00 PM
2 Comments:
The major problem with our education system in general is they don't teach you how to learn but rather what to know...subsequently we're always falling behind because what we know is always changing.
I don't think I know..I just know I'm thinking.
your humble servant,
Ancient Clown
p.s. I submit for your observations where I think we began to go wrong...The "FLUTTERBY" Campaign.
By
Ancient Clown, at 1:15 PM
"people around the world are outperforming Americans left and right".
Totally agree. The US is the poorest country in the world thanks to univesities, which are the worst in the world and general technological backwardness.
By
shlemazl, at 1:16 AM
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