Americans and Geography

[slim 1,525]

Speaking of geography....

Who can tell me what was unique about the globe on the E! show Wild On?

(Ah... Brooke Burke...... )

[SMR 368]

From my house, it's a short one hour drive to Greece, Macedon, Cuba, Egypt, Sweden, Batavia, Palmyra, Moscow, and other exotic locales. I don't know why anyone needs to get on a plane to see the world.

[panamania79 2]

I see geography may be one of your only skills

Okay.....

[Ali G. 37]

What is it with the Americans and Geography

It is a cliché the world over that Americans don't know where ANYTHING is in the world.

I was at York Minster once when an American girl got talking to me - she said she was going to Norway tomorrow and is that in the North of England too ?

I just watched CNN and they had a 'report' that France was the best place to live - they had a picture of the Brandenburg gate it the background during the report

Why is it like this ??? I know they sell globes here....

What's ironical about what you are saying is Steven suggesting that Australian's, for example, should understand American history; in particular African American history. Furthermore, even learn about the stereotypes. Yet, Americans should remain ignorant of any and every country, let alone history, outside the States. So far I have had one person out of NY ask if English is the second language in Australia and another ask if I caught a train to get to the US. No jokes either.

The reason few here know anything about the rest of the world is ethnocentrism. After all, it's why so many find it so hard to fathom that others are beating the US by a long-shot and in so many ares. Better yet, make out such talk to be anti-American and simply opinion (erroneous). Yes, even studies conducted by American companies and organizations.

At least 15% of the local nightly news I saw in Aus was devoted to world affairs. Whereas, I could count on one hand the number of news stories I have seen on our nightly news discuss other countries, which also includes the national news programs like Diane Sawyer. Heck, even various international news channels are modified and rebroadcast in the US version to include less international content.

[Ali G. 37]

America's actual position in the world has fallen quite a bit in the last 2 decades, but the envy foreigners have towards us hasn't changed one bit.

Which foreigners are they? When you look at the largest percentage of migrants coming here, they are not exactly from other first world countries.

Rather than saying you want to be first and the best again, many seem to be satisfied with 13th, 20th or even lower. But boy will you hear at least once a week that the place is the best in the world period. The envy of the world. What gives? Sounds a bit silly don't you think? That is, to ignore and eventually downplay the importance of being ranked first. Then only to turn around and talk about being the best, being number one.

PS Something no one else in any other country does. Not even those that are #1. As in, those countries that actually are the best in the entire world.

Well excluding me..

Edited January 11, 2010 by Booyah

[Nina~ 431]

Enough said!!

[Krikit 1,164]

I thought Booyah 2.0 was the new and improved version?

Enough said!!

It's Fox News! We expect no less. lol

[Ali G. 37]

Here is a good comparison. I have a nephew and niece here that are of the same age of a nephew and niece in Aus: 16. The differences in knowledge and curiosity about the world is huge. I am not just talking about geography but about world affairs in general. The nephew and niece from here have little to no idea about Europe, Asia or Australia etc. No interest in traveling or even interest in hearing about other places. Aussies n&n are already talking about coming to the US this summer, and even discussing the places they would like to travel to during and after college.

Doe-eyed US nieces could not care less to leave their city.

Edited January 11, 2010 by Booyah

[Tinkerbell TX 0]

Back when my daughter was in grade school, her father was working in Madagascar. Her teacher asked the kids where their parents worked and my daughter told her where her father was. The teacher insisted that Madagascar wasn't a place. Even after my daughter pointed it out on a map. And you wonder why some Americans don't know geography???

If you like games and geography, here's a neat site.........

http://www.travelpod.com/traveler-iq

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Here is a good comparison. I have a nephew and niece here that are of the same age of a nephew and niece in Aus: 16. The differences in knowledge and curiosity about the world is huge. I am not just talking about geography but about world affairs in general. The nephew and niece from here have little to no idea about Europe, Asia or Australia etc. No interest in traveling or even interest in hearing about other places. Aussies n&n are already talking about coming to the US this summer, and even discussing the places they would like to travel to during and after college.

Doe-eyed US nieces could not care less to leave their city.

Why mess with perfection? Australia sucks, so y'all are itching to get the fuсk out.

[Malrothien 6]

Here is a good comparison. I have a nephew and niece here that are of the same age of a nephew and niece in Aus: 16. The differences in knowledge and curiosity about the world is huge. I am not just talking about geography but about world affairs in general. The nephew and niece from here have little to no idea about Europe, Asia or Australia etc. No interest in traveling or even interest in hearing about other places. Aussies n&n are already talking about coming to the US this summer, and even discussing the places they would like to travel to during and after college.

Doe-eyed US nieces could not care less to leave their city.

That has little to do with their nationality. It's personality.

[Tinkerbell TX 0]

Why mess with perfection? Australia sucks, so y'all are itching to get the fuсk out.

Australia is awesome.......can't wait to move there!

[Ali G. 37]

Why mess with perfection? Australia sucks, so y'all are itching to get the fuсk out.

I take this as sarcasm. Because dude after visiting there for the holidays I will tell you this. Even if the US started right now to catch up to them, it would take a good 20 years.

The quality of life people have over there is simply unattainable by anyone earning under $300K here. Even then, all good and well to live in a nice gated communities but unfortunately you are stuck in such isolated (exclusive) communities. You know, it truly felt good to be able to participate in, smell and taste true freedom. I was actually contempt, something I have not been in a while. Not having to worry about being robbed or murdered; not having to worry about saying something and being sued for it or be branded a racist on the nightly new because of it; not having to worry about going down the wrong road and ending up dead, with only to have people like yourself excusing the actions of the gang with a 'well the offenders have unfortunate socioeconomic circumstances'; tasting fresh food (of quality) that has not been damaged by the neglect or even pursuit of profit at all costs by various corporations; and not having to see or deal with Jersey Shore style / ghetto losers equivalents felt good.

That is true freedom my friend.

Edited January 11, 2010 by Booyah

[Ali G. 37]

That has little to do with their nationality. It's personality.

I believe it has more to do with culture.

[The_Dude 1,142]

I take this as sarcasm. Because dude after visiting there for the holidays I will tell you this. Even if the US started right now to catch up to them, it would take a good 20 years.

The quality of life people have over there is simply unattainable by anyone earning under $300K here. Even then, all good and well to live in a nice gated communities but unfortunately you are stuck in such isolated (exclusive) communities. You know, it truly felt good to be able to participate in, smell and taste true freedom. I was actually contempt, something I have not been in a while. Not having to worry about being robbed or murdered; not having to worry about saying something and being sued for it or be branded a racist on the nightly new because of it; not having to worry about going down the wrong road and ending up dead, with only to have people like yourself excusing the actions of the gang with a 'well the offenders have unfortunate socioeconomic circumstances'; tasting fresh food (of quality) that has not been damaged by the neglect or even pursuit of profit at all costs by various corporations; and not having to see or deal with Jersey Shore style / ghetto losers equivalents felt good.

That is true freedom my friend.

If you're worried about being sued for speaking your mind, you are either delusional, or have no understanding of this nations constitution, or more likely, both. AS for your fears about getting murdered, get a better job and move to a better neighborhood.