America gets Quized

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MrGray
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Message 611490 - Posted: 30 Jul 2007, 5:10:42 UTC

WOW!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qti1iKIYZnc
"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." - Dr. Seuss
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Message 611492 - Posted: 30 Jul 2007, 5:14:51 UTC

Geography quiz:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVbiisQOqXY
"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." - Dr. Seuss
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Message 611493 - Posted: 30 Jul 2007, 5:16:12 UTC

WOW Part II:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJuNgBkloFE
"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." - Dr. Seuss
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Message 611510 - Posted: 30 Jul 2007, 7:57:10 UTC

BWAHAHAHAHAH!!!

Sorry, I shouldn't laugh, but its just so dang funny.

Most US Citizens' (especially the younger ones) knowledge about things outside the borders of the USA is quite tiny indeed. It is the fault of the School System, the Parents, and yes, also the fault of these ignorant people themselves. I didn't watch the second 'quiz' link at all, and only the first part of the first and third one. I couldn't take watching longer. I knew the answers to every question I heard.

The decline in knowledge of current events and geography began long ago, before I was born. I suppose that people just didn't care anymore. I've seen coursework from high schools from the early part of the 20th century. On the final exam for geography, for instance, the student had to answer questions about other countries in somewhat great detail. Detail requested included things like that countries top several exports (product, approximate amount, and approximate dollar value), among the more pedestrian information such as approximate population, dominant religion, and political system. My how times changed.

I remember my 6th grade social studies teacher and class. We didn't get into quite that level of detail, but the decline was very evident even then. The teacher did his level best to teach the kids something about the world we live in, but he had a very tough time of it. Most all of the kids in my class were so ignorant, they couldn't even find most other nations on a map. Some of the better ones could find Mexico and Canada on the world map, but that was about it, it seemed. Finally, after the other kids failed miserably, the teacher would call on me. I probably answered about 95% of his 'find it on the map' exercises. Heck, most of these kids couldn't even find the 50 US States on the map.

I guess I was just lucky. I learned to read at a very early age (self-taught at age 2 1/2), and used to spend hours pouring over a Rand McNally World Atlas my Dad had. It was the 2nd biggest book he had, behind only Webster's Unabridged Dictionary. I was very curious about the rest of the world (and a great many things besides... still am, for that matter). My Dad knew this and gave me wholehearted encouragement. Most kids back then didn't give a rat's backside about things like that, and neither did their parents.

When I was still a kid, I had high hopes (along with my Dad) that maybe TV and Newspapers could help get the other kids interested in the world around them outside their own limited neighborhoods. Sadly, this turned out not to be the case. Then when this 'internet' thing happened, I repeated my hopes. No dice.

Newspapers (to my Dad's generation), TV (my generation), and the Internet (for all of you younger people) had such great potential for expanding the minds of this nation's youth. Sadly, except for newspapers back in the '20s and '30s (my Dad's generation), they have fallen FAR short of their promise. In fact, TV is one thing I pin part of the problem on. TV has so immersed kids in 'entertainment' that their attention spans have been stunted.

Most kids these days lack much patience to do much studying. It is evident on University campuses. Myself and the few other older people (us Baby Boomers) on campus are frequently shocked seeing the young people struggling with stuff we breezed through in high school. In fact, in one rather bizarre twist of fate, I noticed that a kid I was tutoring in General Chemistry (the Chemistry major's class, not one of the 'watered down' Chemistry courses offered just to give the liberal arts people a chance to knock out their lab science requirements) at that University was using the same textbook in that class that I used in high school chemistry. Granted, it was the 9th edition, whereas I used the 1st edition, but still. The SAME textbook. Thats just fsck'in sad.

To those of you that actually ENJOY continuing to learn new things, rejoice! You are part of a VERY small minority if you are in the USA. I don't know that much about the educational systems of other countries, but what I do know is that they push students to learn much more than the ones in the USA do.

To those of you that live to learn, and find joy in learning everything you can about the world around you, never ever give that up! If you do, you may as well just crawl into a hole and have someone shovel dirt over you, for you will have, in a very vital sense, died. The sad thing is that most of your peers have never lived.

A parting thought: Many times when someone from another country calls 'Dubya' a stupid moron, they aren't meaning just him. To many, he is just a moron President of a nation of morons. And, sadly, they have a point.
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Message 611526 - Posted: 30 Jul 2007, 11:17:51 UTC

Kudos for that posting, MajorKong. A true democracy needs people to be educated.

Besides that the situation is similar in Europe, just not that drastic. There is kind of a two class education society here, too.

You might want to take a look at the OECD PISA study for raw data.
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Message 611665 - Posted: 30 Jul 2007, 17:27:20 UTC

Great link, MAC,

Great write-up MK. I'll have a look at that link today and see if I can find some interesting data to compare against other countries too see where we all line up.

I posted this here to help illustrate another huge hurdle placed in front of our citizens. Unless we empower ourselves, no matter what we need to do to get it done, we will continue to have problems.

Empower yourself.

Learning only stops when you take your "Dirt Nap."
"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." - Dr. Seuss
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Message 611690 - Posted: 30 Jul 2007, 18:38:50 UTC

Well, granted this is not very representative of what we are mostly discussing here (geography and related subjects), but the results of the 2007 International Mathematical Olympiad are quite telling.

http://www.imo-official.org/year_country_r.asp?year=2007

The top 10 'winning nations' and their team score:

Russian Federation -- 184
People's Republic of China -- 181
Vietnam -- 168
Republic of Korea -- 168
United States of America -- 155
Japan -- 154
Ukraine -- 154
Democratic People's Republic of Korea -- 151
Taiwan -- 149
Bulgaria -- 149

Note the rather large difference between Russia and the USA, and the much smaller difference between the USA and Bulgaria. Also be aware that each nation's team is made up of their 6 best math students, that is this is not really representative of the actual math ability of their average students. I am confident that if only 'average' students competed, the USA would be a lot lower in the rankings.

This somewhat poor showing is in a subject that the USA still manages to compete well in worldwide. In the case of the primary subject of this thread, knowledge of the rest of the world, things are much worse. I wouldn't be surprised to find the USA near the bottom of the pack in that subject.
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Message 611758 - Posted: 30 Jul 2007, 20:13:55 UTC

I bet China and especially India would have whipped us big time, too!
"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." - Dr. Seuss
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Message 612241 - Posted: 31 Jul 2007, 0:57:17 UTC - in response to Message 611758.  

I bet China and especially India would have whipped us big time, too!


Uhh, 'The People's Republic of China' (the mainland one) did. They got 2nd place. Taiwan, Republic of China tied with Bulgaria for 9th place.

Surprisingly, though, India only got 25th place, with 103 points.
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Message 612243 - Posted: 31 Jul 2007, 1:00:16 UTC

Woops!

That's an example of a no coffee day for me.

:(
"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." - Dr. Seuss
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Message 612279 - Posted: 31 Jul 2007, 2:06:16 UTC

Wow,

I thought my videos were a good example but check out celebrity Jeopardy on channel 7 right now. LOL
"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." - Dr. Seuss
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Message 612347 - Posted: 31 Jul 2007, 5:34:37 UTC
Last modified: 31 Jul 2007, 5:36:14 UTC

This somewhat poor showing is in a subject that the USA still manages to compete well in worldwide. In the case of the primary subject of this thread, knowledge of the rest of the world, things are much worse. I wouldn't be surprised to find the USA near the bottom of the pack in that subject.

I think that there lies the problem. There is excellent education in the US - if you can afford it. This is a worldwide phenomena, though - even though the nordic countries seem to have a quite good education system.

The top 10 'winning nations' and their team score:

Russian Federation -- 184 (468)
...
United States of America -- 155 (483)
...
OECD Average (500)
Finland (544)

Even though in the top 10 in that competition the average US guy is below average in mathematics.
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Message 612771 - Posted: 1 Aug 2007, 2:09:08 UTC
Last modified: 1 Aug 2007, 2:10:36 UTC

It's celebrity Jeopardy WEEK, lol.

Here we go...


For those who may not know what Jeopardy is:

http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/jeopardy/indexflash.php



.
"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." - Dr. Seuss
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Message 613046 - Posted: 1 Aug 2007, 16:51:08 UTC
Last modified: 1 Aug 2007, 16:54:47 UTC

Thank leftism in general for this disturbing trend......after all, feeling good about yourself and graduating with your class is more important than knowing where Egypt is located or knowing the difference between they're, their, and there, right?


Laughing Out Loud.


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Message 613050 - Posted: 1 Aug 2007, 16:59:35 UTC
Last modified: 1 Aug 2007, 17:02:01 UTC

Isn't it rich?
Are we a pair?
Me here at last on the ground,
You in mid-air.
Send in the clowns.

Isn't it bliss?
Don't you approve?
One who keeps tearing around,
One who can't move.
Where are the clowns?
Send in the clowns.

Just when I'd stopped opening doors,
Finally knowing the one that I wanted was yours,
Making my entrance again with my usual flair,
Sure of my lines,
No one is there.

Don't you love farce?
My fault I fear.
I thought that you'd want what I want.
Sorry, my dear.
But where are the clowns?
Quick, send in the clowns.
Don't bother, they're here.
"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." - Dr. Seuss
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Message 613403 - Posted: 2 Aug 2007, 7:23:47 UTC

It's not the leftists who want elitist education but stupidity for the masses. Not even the Americans leftist. Education should be free that everyone can afford it, and of the highest possible standard nonetheless.
The companies want better qualified beginners? Invest more in public education! Society want youth away from the street gangs? Invest more in public education! Let the companies & the governments invest so much that public education is as good as private education, but free of charge.

Sometimes I suppose they deliberately put the education standard lower for public schools than for the expensive private schools - because a stupid People is more manipulatable.
Knowledge is power. They who have more knowledge have power over those who have less knowledge.
Now think again and tell me why it should be the leftists who want this negative trend.
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Message 613408 - Posted: 2 Aug 2007, 7:47:09 UTC

This thorin guys good!

!!
"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." - Dr. Seuss
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Message 613542 - Posted: 2 Aug 2007, 17:20:07 UTC - in response to Message 613403.  

It's not the leftists who want elitist education but stupidity for the masses. Not even the Americans leftist.


Exactly what I stated. The Dems want govt. dependants, not people who can support themselves as they tend to vote AGAINST higher taxes, welfare, and special privileges for minorities, which is the very foundation of the Dem's political stance.

Education should be free that everyone can afford it, and of the highest possible standard nonetheless.

In America, financial aid is availabe to everyone, making higher education available to everyone....but just like everything else in life worth having, it takes a little bit of sacrifice to achieve your goals.

The companies want better qualified beginners? Invest more in public education! Society want youth away from the street gangs? Invest more in public education! Let the companies & the governments invest so much that public education is as good as private education, but free of charge.

44% of African Americans in Louisiana drop out before graduating High School. No amount of money can MAKE a child want to learn...

Sometimes I suppose they deliberately put the education standard lower for public schools than for the expensive private schools - because a stupid People is more manipulatable.

Look at the drop-out rate I posted above and ask yourself again why the standards have been lowered in public schools. Here's a hint, some people in our society think it's cooler to smoke dope and act like a criminal than to be able to read.

Knowledge is power. They who have more knowledge have power over those who have less knowledge.
Now think again and tell me why it should be the leftists who want this negative trend.


Stupid people are government dependant and leftists rely on political idiots and government dependents to vote them into office....I don't know anyone who thought the Dems were going to end the war if elected to Congress, but I bet YOU DO.


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Message 613586 - Posted: 2 Aug 2007, 19:06:13 UTC - in response to Message 613403.  

It's not the leftists who want elitist education but stupidity for the masses. Not even the Americans leftist. Education should be free that everyone can afford it, and of the highest possible standard nonetheless.

Odd how that works out, eh? You aren't willing to provide it for even ONE person, yet you are perfectly happy initiating force against others to make them provide what you aren't willing to.

The companies want better qualified beginners? Invest more in public education! Society want youth away from the street gangs? Invest more in public education! Let the companies & the governments invest so much that public education is as good as private education, but free of charge.

Blah, blah, blah. The battle cry of those that have nothing to say. Why don't YOU provide this stuff? Oh, right, you aren't willing to. Hint: this is why there had to be a wall with the machine guns pointing inward...

Sometimes I suppose they deliberately put the education standard lower for public schools than for the expensive private schools - because a stupid People is more manipulatable.

Oooh, next we move into paranoid fantasy... "The gov't provides student loans to keep the proles DOWN!!!"

Knowledge is power. They who have more knowledge have power over those who have less knowledge. Now think again and tell me why it should be the leftists who want this negative trend.

Most simply: because you advocate for BS gov't programs that are poorly run, have no accountability, crush those that need them the most, and remove the ability of people to choose. Take for example, public education. Like we are talking about in this thread. It is the left that fights any change here. They fight removing unions, they fight vouchers, they fight accountability, they fight everything except the status quo. That's why.
Cordially,
Rush

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Remove the obvious...
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Message 613745 - Posted: 3 Aug 2007, 0:25:32 UTC - in response to Message 613586.  
Last modified: 3 Aug 2007, 0:27:46 UTC

It's not the leftists who want elitist education but stupidity for the masses. Not even the Americans leftist. Education should be free that everyone can afford it, and of the highest possible standard nonetheless.

Odd how that works out, eh? You aren't willing to provide it for even ONE person, yet you are perfectly happy initiating force against others to make them provide what you aren't willing to.
Well, If I had money to share I would share it. I don't know where you take your paranoia of being forced from. Better the government invests into education and health care than into secret services, war and SDI.

The companies want better qualified beginners? Invest more in public education! Society want youth away from the street gangs? Invest more in public education! Let the companies & the governments invest so much that public education is as good as private education, but free of charge.

Blah, blah, blah. The battle cry of those that have nothing to say. Why don't YOU provide this stuff? Oh, right, you aren't willing to.
As I pointed out above, I, personally , am not able to - if I were I happily would do and enforce it.
Hint: this is why there had to be a wall with the machine guns pointing inward...
I think I don't have to comment this one. I'm over the state of being too blinded to see that this was wrong.

Sometimes I suppose they deliberately put the education standard lower for public schools than for the expensive private schools - because a stupid People is more manipulatable.

Oooh, next we move into paranoid fantasy... "The gov't provides student loans to keep the proles DOWN!!!"
Sure, student loans - and how high are the rates and interests when it comes to pay them back? Those students have debts as soon as they finish studying!

Knowledge is power. They who have more knowledge have power over those who have less knowledge. Now think again and tell me why it should be the leftists who want this negative trend.

Most simply: because you advocate for BS gov't programs that are poorly run, have no accountability, crush those that need them the most, and remove the ability of people to choose. Take for example, public education. Like we are talking about in this thread. It is the left that fights any change here. They fight removing unions, they fight vouchers, they fight accountability, they fight everything except the status quo. That's why.
If the unions are really deputizing for the workers - so why should they be fought against?
mentioning the vouchers: If they provided generally free education, from kindergarten up to university - there were no need for them.
mentioning accountability, I can only think of corporate accountability, and that each company should be called to account for their incomes (including wins and subventions) vs their investments and salary risings, their hirings and firings (and their reasons of firing - they better had good reasons!), and especially their wins. And why they think not to share their win with their employees. This kind of accountability is something to fight for :-)

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