Some sad poll results

[billvon 2,473]

30% of people polled in a recent Washington Post poll could not name the year that 9/11 occurred. 5% could not name the month it occurred.

In a recent Zogby poll:

75% of americans can identify two of Snow White's dwarves. 25% could identify two Supreme Court justices.

57% knew who Harry Potter was. 50% knew who Tony Blair was.

60% knew Homer Simpson is Bart Simpson's father. 20% knew the greek writer Homer wrote the Iliad and the Odyssey.

60% know Superman is from Krypton. 37% know that Mercury is the closest real planet to our sun.

74% could name Larry, Curley and Moe as the three stooges. 42% could identify our three branches of government.

23% knew who the most recent American Idol winner was. 11% knew who the most recent Supreme Court appointee was.

[TheAnvil 0]

That's really sad.

Education and the national debt our the greatest threats facing our country.

Vinny the Anvil
Post Traumatic Didn't Make The Lakers Syndrome is REAL
JACKASS POWER!!!!!!

[CanuckInUSA 0]

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20% knew the greek writer Homer wrote the Iliad and the Odyssey.

I didn't know this.

Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

[purnell 0]

That's simply incredible on so many levels. How the &*#@ does 5% of the population get through the day if they can't even determine what friggin month 9 is?

It's easy to blame the schools, but it also has to start at home. Wow.

[kelpdiver 2]

once again someone comes up with a list of half irrelevent facts and is disappointed that they're not known.

Of course more people know Homer Simpson than the Latin classics by Homer. There are 10-20 episodes a week of the simpsons on TV- my tivo records a half dozen of them. FWIW the Simpsons did the Odyssey once.

There are a huge number of books to choose from in literature. My recollection of Honors English from the 80s was there it was heavily slanted towards English writers, with the one year of American lit. (It's far more important that kids read Huck Finn than the Iliad, imo)

Mercury? Relevence? Same for Tony Blair - has the US ever followed England's lead?

As for 5% not knowing the 9th month is September- I hope they were confused by the question, or scribbled outside the bubble.

[mpohl 1]

That's why democracy at the lowest common denominator is prone to be a failure: I mean who in their right mind would have voted for GW Bush? Leave the voting to the educated people: MS, PhD, and MD only. Just as all the tax benefits are left to the rich ppl.

P.S.: You aren't educated or rich? Bad luck!

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30% of people polled in a recent Washington Post poll could not name the year that 9/11 occurred. 5% could not name the month it occurred.

In a recent Zogby poll:

75% of americans can identify two of Snow White's dwarves. 25% could identify two Supreme Court justices.

57% knew who Harry Potter was. 50% knew who Tony Blair was.

60% knew Homer Simpson is Bart Simpson's father. 20% knew the greek writer Homer wrote the Iliad and the Odyssey.

60% know Superman is from Krypton. 37% know that Mercury is the closest real planet to our sun.

74% could name Larry, Curley and Moe as the three stooges. 42% could identify our three branches of government.

23% knew who the most recent American Idol winner was. 11% knew who the most recent Supreme Court appointee was.

[micro 0]

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once again someone comes up with a list of half irrelevent facts and is disappointed that they're not known.

What's truly disappointing is that you think these facts are only half relevant.

I miss Lee.
And JP.
And Chris. And...

[AggieDave 6]

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What's truly disappointing is that you think these facts are only half relevant.

I want to look at it as, does it truely effect someone's life? If you have a high school education (maybe) and you're the shift manager of McDonalds, which is worst? Knowing about classical literature or knowing enough about your presidental canidates to make an informed decision?

If you want scary facts, look at the voter numbers over the past 20 years.

Other important information that a large majority of people won't know. What were the three major forms of socialism that fought out the Russian Civil War around the 1920s in Russia? Why is that important? Well, one of them prevailed, the other two have gone on to take hold in governments around the globe. Our "sister country and ally in the world" the UK is one of those countries.

How about an actual historical understanding of the conflict in Isreal? How many people HATE France but don't understand their historical importance in the development of the US? Not just their help in the US Revolutionary War.

How would someone learn these things? Well, it sure as hell isn't taught in High School. Infact a large majority of the history taught in public AND private schools in the US is false or misguided in terms of history. It starts with the myths of G. Washington and Abe Lincoln in elementary school. So the only way someone would learn these things are to be well read and/or to have taken upper level history courses in college.

Similar aspects to some of the other things listed in the previous list. For instance about the historical Homer. Unless you've read or learned about classical literature, you probably won't know. With the SC Justices, unless you have studied poly-sci, are interested in those things or have an understanding of law in the US, you probably won't know. Hell, most of the public has no actual understanding of their local and state laws, much less the federal level. How many people actually understand what the SC does? Most of the people I come in contact with take their bases of the law and how it is applied by watching Law and Order, CSI or similar. All of which are laughable.

My point is that since the information isn't relavent to people's day to day lives, they don't bother to learn or retain the information that they had previously learned on the subject. Is that a bad thing? Well, to a point since these people vote, but then again, looking at voter turn out, thankfully most of them don't vote.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[TheAnvil 0]

I know plenty of people holding advanced degrees who voted for GWB. They wonder who in their right mind would have voted for either Gore or Kerry.

The rich paid most of the taxes prior to GWB's tax cut. They still pay most of the taxes today.

Vinny the Anvil
Post Traumatic Didn't Make The Lakers Syndrome is REAL
JACKASS POWER!!!!!!

[micro 0]

I certainly see your point Dave, but I guess the real point for me is this... Homers works, who comprises the SCOTUS, who the leaders of major nations are, socialism and it's forms and fashions -and where they took hold- as you mention, these SHOULD be important in the lives of people, not just as part of a mandatory high school curriculum, but b/c they are relevant, although some others here don't think so...

I miss Lee.
And JP.
And Chris. And...

[AggieDave 6]

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I certainly see your point Dave, but I guess the real point for me is this... Homers works, who comprises the SCOTUS, who the leaders of major nations are, socialism and it's forms and fashions -and where they took hold- as you mention, these SHOULD be important in the lives of people, not just as part of a mandatory high school curriculum, but b/c they are relevant, although some others here don't think so...

I agree with you. I also believe that everyone should drive safer. Neither are going to happen, though.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[Rookie120 0]

I find something funny about that most of those people who are stupid are the one's in charge.

If you find yourself in a fair fight, your tactics suck!

[micro 0]

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I certainly see your point Dave, but I guess the real point for me is this... Homers works, who comprises the SCOTUS, who the leaders of major nations are, socialism and it's forms and fashions -and where they took hold- as you mention, these SHOULD be important in the lives of people, not just as part of a mandatory high school curriculum, but b/c they are relevant, although some others here don't think so...

I agree with you. I also believe that everyone should drive safer. Neither are going to happen, though.

And so, on the roads and in and inbetween our countries, history repeats itself.

Again and again.

I miss Lee.
And JP.
And Chris. And...

[Nightingale 0]

D'oh. I missed the one about the american idol winner. Who was it again?

[kallend 1,679]

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What's truly disappointing is that you think these facts are only half relevant.

I want to look at it as, does it truely effect someone's life? If you have a high school education (maybe) and you're the shift manager of McDonalds, which is worst? Knowing about classical literature or knowing enough about your presidental canidates to make an informed decision?

If you want scary facts, look at the voter numbers over the past 20 years.

Other important information that a large majority of people won't know. What were the three major forms of socialism that fought out the Russian Civil War around the 1920s in Russia? Why is that important? Well, one of them prevailed, the other two have gone on to take hold in governments around the globe. Our "sister country and ally in the world" the UK is one of those countries.

How about an actual historical understanding of the conflict in Isreal? How many people HATE France but don't understand their historical importance in the development of the US? Not just their help in the US Revolutionary War.

How would someone learn these things? Well, it sure as hell isn't taught in High School. Infact a large majority of the history taught in public AND private schools in the US is false or misguided in terms of history. It starts with the myths of G. Washington and Abe Lincoln in elementary school. So the only way someone would learn these things are to be well read and/or to have taken upper level history courses in college.

Similar aspects to some of the other things listed in the previous list. For instance about the historical Homer. Unless you've read or learned about classical literature, you probably won't know. With the SC Justices, unless you have studied poly-sci, are interested in those things or have an understanding of law in the US, you probably won't know. Hell, most of the public has no actual understanding of their local and state laws, much less the federal level. How many people actually understand what the SC does? Most of the people I come in contact with take their bases of the law and how it is applied by watching Law and Order, CSI or similar. All of which are laughable.

My point is that since the information isn't relavent to people's day to day lives, they don't bother to learn or retain the information that they had previously learned on the subject. Is that a bad thing? Well, to a point since these people vote, but then again, looking at voter turn out, thankfully most of them don't vote.

When I was in grade school we called these kind of facts "general knowledge", and general knowledge was considered important (as was spelling).

...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[AggieDave 6]

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When I was in grade school we called these kind of facts "general knowledge", and general knowledge was considered important (as was spelling).

Fine, what were the three major versions of socialist factions that fought during the Soviet/Russian civil war? Which won the power in terms of Russia and which eventually came to power in the UK? Its important since it shapes the UK's social and economic policy, nevermind their dealings internationally. It will continue to influence as well, since its apart of their overall political belief structure. This directly influences the US locally as well as internationally. Since you learned that in grade school, explain it to us. Difficulty level: no internet searching, since you said you learned that in grade school.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[kelpdiver 2]

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I certainly see your point Dave, but I guess the real point for me is this... Homers works, who comprises the SCOTUS, who the leaders of major nations are, socialism and it's forms and fashions -and where they took hold- as you mention, these SHOULD be important in the lives of people, not just as part of a mandatory high school curriculum, but b/c they are relevant, although some others here don't think so...

Why? Since you made it as a declaration without support. There is far more data flowing out there than the average person can keep track of. How is one person's list of VITAL TRIVIA better than another's?

I am struggling to think of how anyone's life is affected by the knowledge that Mercury is the rock right next to the sun. The only planet we're interested in these days is Mars. And maybe the various contenders for planetoid X beyond Pluto.

I put forth my belief that Twain is far more important in literature. People could easily support a 100 different authors over Homer. What's so special about him? And must it be read in Latin to be appreciated most?

I think I can name off the 7 senior members of the Court. I might be able to pick out the newest two out of a list, but their names have faded since the hearings ended. When they start authoring decisions it should rise up in interest to me. But most people are served fine by knowing the results, not that Clarence Thomas is the stupidest member ever (but would have been #2 should Bush's first candidate been accepted).

It's not nearly as important to know Tony Blair is the PM as to recognize the very close ties that have evolved between the US and UK. If you like politics, it's interesting to see how following Bush's lead had put his position/party in jeopardy.

[billvon 2,473]

>I am struggling to think of how anyone's life is affected by the
>knowledge that Mercury is the rock right next to the sun.

It may not be. But in terms of relevance, surely knowing the planets in your solar system is more important than knowing the planets of a fictional solar system.

>The only planet we're interested in these days is Mars.

And Venus, for its atmosphere. And the moons Io and Europa, since Europa may have liquid water, one of the prerequisites (we think) for the development of life. And Io is way more interesting than Krypton, or Tatooine, or the Death Star, or any of the other fictional celestial bodies out there.

And when you learn more about Io, you end up learning more about chemistry. And chemistry is definitely applicable to the real world.

[jumper03 0]

If you think those poll results are sad....come spend a week with me in my intro physics class.

I can't teach physics because I have to teach basic math. I had an entire class of teachers aides (women who are in the classroom actively teaching!!!) tell me that 1/5 = 5/1
I didn't know what to say...

I can't geology because I have to teach english. On a test, a college senior wrote the following: "Which concludes that given what we know about solar system evolution these materials does make sense that these are the oldest known."

I have no clue what he was trying to say.

And the other damn faculty are just as bad! A geography professor has been teaching students for 15 years that basalt is a fine-grained sandstone...AAAGGHGHHHH

The entire system is broken from top to bottom and I have no clue where to even begin fixing it.

Scars remind us that the past is real

[slug 1]

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The entire system is broken from top to bottom and I have no clue where to even begin fixing it.

[Muenkel 0]

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D'oh. I missed the one about the american idol winner. Who was it again?

Just so you know, it was Taylor Hicks. However, I agree completely with Bill's point.

Chris

_________________________________________
Chris

[kelpdiver 2]

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>I am struggling to think of how anyone's life is affected by the
>knowledge that Mercury is the rock right next to the sun.

It may not be. But in terms of relevance, surely knowing the planets in your solar system is more important than knowing the planets of a fictional solar system.

People don't know about Krypton because it's important to their lives. They know it because Superman has been one of the most successful franchises ever, with 6 (more?) movies, an old TV series, the Lois and Clark and Smallville series, and of course the comic book itself, and saturday morning TV. Same applies to Simpsons knowledge.

No value judgement is being made here - people are just choosing to pick pop culture as a leisure pursuit over reviewing what they learned in school for the rest of their lives.

But if you want, make a book of "Important information every American should know." It might even sell a good number of copies, though it won't reach the people you pity so much.

[raggdoll 0]

The poll is skewed. Who were the people interviewed?

Do they have children (knowledge of Harry Potter would be applicable here--perhaps these were working parents trying to instill the importance of books by reading to their children at bedtime after working a 10 - 12 hour day).

Were the respondents educated and if so, how educated? I know a 68 year old man who is currently learning to read because when he was young, he had to drop out of school in order to work to support his mother and siblings. Watching television may be the only source of entertainment he's able to enjoy because he's not literate--yet. Reading a newspaper is out of the question for him currently, though it is an eventual goal.

Perhaps the respondents don't have televisions, or cannot afford televisions. Perhaps some don't have cars with working radios or must rely on public transportation or don't listen to the BBC because they don't understand what the news discussions are. Perhaps they are too embarrassed by their lack of knowledge to ask someone who Tony Blair is, for fear of being thought and subsequently treated as an idiot, or worse.

Some may have to work 16+ hour days, as my parents both did, and after coming home and taking care of the children, find that they are simply too tired by having to work and support families to actually care about what is occurring outside of their own existence. These people are merely trying to survive.

The results are sad, yes. But sometimes, the reasonings behind the results are sadder and might require more explanation and thought than blaming education, teachers, lifestyles, televisions, etc.

Just another view.

[kelpdiver 2]

A Zobgy poll likely is a decently representative sample of Americans, though likely a phone poll, which has small bias.

I find more fault likely with the questions (GIGO) than the sample obtained.

[Shotgun 1]

I fail to see how knowing the year that 9/11 occurred would affect anyone's life.

Supreme Court Justices - yeah, the general public could do with knowing a bit more about that.

Harry Potter vs. Tony Blair? Who cares? Personally, Harry Potter doesn't do anything for me. But, well, neither does Tony Blair. 50% knowing who he is? Doesn't sound like a bad number to me.

The Iliad and the Odyssey? Why do people need to be concerned with outdated boring poetry? I mean, if that's your thing, fine. But most people have no reason to read that crap. I mean, after all, we've got the Bible to read if we want to read outdated boring crap. Why read someone else's delusions on how 'gods' have affected our lives, when we have a much more current version which clearly shows that Jesus and his 'father' are the characters that _really_ control our lives???

Where the planets are? Useful to know if you work in any field that might involve going to other planets - which is a very small percentage of the population. And if you're just curious, the info is fairly accessible from many different sources.

Three branches of government? Again, yes I'll agree with that one - the general public should have a better understanding of our government.

Most recent Supreme Court appointee? Same as the last question.

But most of these poll questions are just silly. They sound like they were written by some elitist who wants to make himself feel better by showing that he has more knowledge of useless facts than the general public. Now if all the people who were polled were to write a list of questions that actually pertain to their daily lives, I wonder if the pollster would be able to accurately answer even half of those questions.