If you read this, you are not the average person, so you can avoid that mad at me, and this personal opinion articles. But for those who have read them you need, I feel rather sorry for him. You are missing on a majority, has to offer the world. So you now have calmed a little, let me explain, but first a word about me.
I am a fairly average American with an above-average education. I graduated from college and graduate school. Growing up in the50's, television was no big deal, so I read talk to me. I would go to the library and read adventure, science fiction books and the classics. I always read the newspaper and kept current with the events. So, what I have from my 19 years of training?
Well, I know the basics of the world and American history. I can recite all the presidents in order and are aware of our Birth of a Nation and the various conflicts as well. I understand geography and could nominateMost countries and states to a world or national map. I rarely have a word search in the current language, have the normal mathematical skills and can understand the majority of scientific concepts. My wife has the same training, so we can get almost everything we discuss in the news or in the newspaper encounter. But it's not so many of you out there.
If you have seen before, Jay Leno of the Tonight Show not to be "Jaywalking" bit, you can appreciate where I am going with this. Once a week, he goesto ask outside the studio, general knowledge questions, whom he chose at random. He first asked her profession, and we can witness teachers, students, professionals, managers, and thus a cross section of average Americans. The he takes a topical issue such as global warming or the presidential primaries and the fun begins, though it is not really fun for the recipient, only the audience. Some of the questions that have these poor people are helpless, likefollows:
Why do we celebrate 4th July? Who is the current Vice-President? Who fought in the Civil War? What is the body of water in the western United States? How many stars are on the American flag, and what they represent? Brittany Spears who was divorced from? Who is married to President George W. Bush? Where would the Liberty Bell? Who invented the telephone? Name of the planet closest to the sun? Who is Brad Pittby divorced? How many feet in a mile?
Okay, so how did you do? I thought you were together with the response Jaywalkers. By the way, you can guess from the title of this article is that it terrible, but I am sure that you are dressed better. Most of them could only answer, 2 for the 12th Can you guess which 2? This is a sad commentary in itself, is not it? But the average American should know, if not most of these questions. Their children do this study because theyThings in school. But there is no excuse, because you're now 30 and have removed from school for over 12 years. You should still know about the Civil War and why was beaten, when and by whom. It is part of our history and our culture. It eventually led to the abolition of slavery and civil rights for all minorities. So, if you're black, Hispanic or Asian descent, hats. The same goes for the rest of our history, geography, and true science.
The problem lies in our lack of reading orwatching the news. It is a lost art that is driven by computers and television. Most of us are wrapped up in other pursuits, reading a book or to see how current events can shape our environment. Our short school years are not enough to get us over the next decades.
Knowledge and understanding of the world around you adds to the richness and fullness of our lives. The ability to detect geographic landmarks, historical references and scientific achievements is aBlessing. Continue to learn and absorb facts and information allows us to experience to grow as individuals and a wealth of new and exciting opportunities. Although I may sometimes seem to be sesquipedaliantic, please allow me the honor bestowed. At the moment I would expect you to go to a dictionary and see what I meant. Or else, you are about to stop reading, and get a beer instead, and Turn off the TV? You have a choice and that is why most Americans are stupid and will remain so. They are the falseDecisions, but it's not too late to change. I will continue my rant, and suggestions for a solution in Part 2
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