Scientific ignorance in the U.S.A.

[pedricero matao]

I can understand not knowing some scientific data, but things like this:

* Only 53% of adults know how long it takes for the Earth to revolve around the Sun.

REALLY?!

I sincerely hope this is not real (I mean, made up or something)

[youtube:2vxvvb43]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q566ys0sqVQ[/youtube:2vxvvb43]

[VanReal]

That could very well be real, a LOT of people don't keep up on current events.  I prefer they call them "Knowledge Challenged" Americans though, hehe.

[Whitney]

Over the last year or so I've made more of a point to keep up with current events.  Still, I think if some guy with a camera was approaching me with questions I'd tell them I'm not interested.  There is nothing like being put on the spot that will make you forget things you would normally know.  

Btw, why are stupid people attracted to news cameras?...I swear that is why tv makes it look like there are so many American idiots.

[Tom62]

Just ask these kind of questions on any street market here in Western Europe and you'll get similar stupid replies from people. Maybe people feel obliged to give an answer, when they are placed in front of a camera, even if it is just an unintelligent answer. I can respect people who say "I don't know", but not people who say something without having a clue what they are talking about.

[Hitsumei]

Ever watch Rick Mercer's talking to Americans?

[youtube:23fo94jc]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhTZ_tgMUdo[/youtube:23fo94jc]

[Whitney]

lol....20 hour clock.  I just find that especially funy since you wouldn't have to know anything about Canada to realize a 20 hour day wouldn't make much sense and someone is probably pulling your leg.

[VanReal]

Hehehe, "Congratulations Canada on your tunnel to China"....

[karadan]

Over the last year or so I've made more of a point to keep up with current events.  Still, I think if some guy with a camera was approaching me with questions I'd tell them I'm not interested.  There is nothing like being put on the spot that will make you forget things you would normally know.  

Btw, why are stupid people attracted to news cameras?...I swear that is why tv makes it look like there are so many American idiots.

It's only stupid people from other countries who think America is populated entirely by stupid people.

To be honest, you'd more than likely get the same percentages of stupid in the UK if someone took a camera out onto British streets, especially if they were to go anywhere near Liverpool or Birmingham

[Kodanshi]

Good point. Plus you have to bear in mind the possibility that they edit the footage to show only the people who can’t answer their questions.

[karadan]

Good point. Plus you have to bear in mind the possibility that they edit the footage to show only the people who can’t answer their questions.

Of course they do! I doubt they spent a few minutes walking around interviewing people. That cut is more than likely taken from an entire days worth of interviews.

[Man-ofGod]

[youtube:p6skeqxy]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_mkwB9ayK4 [/youtube:p6skeqxy]


Just spreading the wealth a little bit.  

[karadan]

[youtube:auipgnei]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_mkwB9ayK4 [/youtube:auipgnei]


Just spreading the wealth a little bit.  

Haha. That's funny.

[Kodanshi]

[youtube:119tubss]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_mkwB9ayK4 [/youtube:119tubss]


Just spreading the wealth a little bit.  

[Ninteen45]

Horribly done. There ARE 2 colours in the brittish flag, Red and Blue. White is a tone.

[SSY]

Btw, why are stupid people attracted to news cameras?...I swear that is why tv makes it look like there are so many American idiots.

Once while in halls, I noticed the weather report was being done 200 yards from me on Tottenham Court Road. I burst out of the house in my socks and sprinted as fast as I could in order to make a tit of myself. In hindsight I'm glad that I did not make it, I would have regretted it so much after.