Geography-challenged Americans in the global economy
In covering all things geeky, we tend to write about America's best young minds, from to digital kids who rule the classroom. So it was a reality check to hear news this week about just how pathetic Americans--who tout their leadership in the global economy--are at good old-fashioned geography.
CNN points out that after more than three years of combat and 2,400 U.S. military deaths in Iraq, almost two-thirds of Americans aged 18 to 24 still can't find Iraq on a map. That was according to the National Geographic-Roper Public Affairs 2006 Geographic Literacy Study, from which results were released Tuesday.
The study showed that 33 percent of those questioned could not point out Louisiana on a U.S. map, despite recent hurricane destruction. Fifty percent couldn't point out New York, and 57 percent couldn't point out Ohio. And 88 percent couldn't find Afghanistan on a map of Asia.
We found the news sad, and pretty shocking, but bloggers--apparently a cynical bunch--didn't seem all that surprised.
Blog community response:
"I certainly am no exception. Thank Goog for google earth. I've decided Goog is just as good a name as God for the All or Everything or Krishna Consciousness."
--Seeaaaan Casey Weekly
"While I'm sure America's students could pass just about any test on diversity or tolerance, geography is another matter. The results of this latest survey are truly pathetic, and reinforce the need for a drastic revamping of this country's educational system."
--ATL malcontent
"What's that Ambrose Bierce used to say? 'War is God's way of teaching Americans geography?' Well, we're "at war" but we're still not learning...Y'know, I think this kind of blatant ignorance is one of the main reasons why our idiotic leaders decided that invading Iraq would be a good idea. They probably were thinking of Iowa instead."
--eponymous
"This is the generation that has bought into the 'jobs that Americans won't do' myth and contribute to the 'there aren't enough Americans to fill technology jobs so we have to outsource them' theory. How can the US go to other countries promoting the concept of democracy, which depends on an informed electorate, when our own electorate is this uninformed?"
--Pam's Coffee Conversation
"Here is my bet: Pretty soon, America is going to be a country where the typical educated person can do something technical like map out a microprocessor down to the last nanometer, but can't look at a map of the world and find Australia. The quest for specialized knowledge will completely replace the need for general knowledge about the world. America will be a country of focus-oriented 'parts,' ignorant of everything except the one area where they are needed/used."
--Jil in Pattaya