Kindergarten Geography Skills Continue to Hinder America's Ability to Bomb People

[TaiShang]

Kindergarten Geography Skills Continue to Hinder America's Ability to Bomb People

Bombing people is easy and fun. But finding where they live, on a map? This requires difficult book-learning. Major bummer。

Riley Waggaman



Bombs away!

Donald Trump's fake "show of force" against North Korea has resurrected an ancient question that many wise philosophers have pondered for thousands of years: Can Americans actually locate on a map the countries that they so desperately wish to bomb?

We apologize for the rhetorical question.

Of course, the North Korea "incident" was not due to poor navigational skills; it was nothing more than a fear-mongering distraction to boost television and approval ratings.

But it does beg the question: Can Rachel Maddow and her army of lobotomized potatoes actually find Moscow on Google Maps? Because that is the first step, at least in theory, if you want to bomb it.

According to science, the answer is a resounding "no".

Several years ago a group of American academics asked a simple and extremely rude question: Americans want to rescue Ukraine from Russian invasion — but can they find Ukraine on a map?

We know that war is God's way of teaching the US geography, but sometimes even God can't deliver:

According to the nerds:

About one in six (16 percent) Americans correctly located Ukraine, clicking somewhere within its borders. Most thought that Ukraine was located somewhere in Europe or Asia, but the median respondent was about 1,800 miles off — roughly the distance from Chicago to Los Angeles — locating Ukraine somewhere in an area bordered by Portugal on the west, Sudan on the south, Kazakhstan on the east, and Finland on the north.

The further our respondents thought that Ukraine was from its actual location, the more they wanted the U.S. to intervene militarily.

Of course, this is extremely unfair because the average American has no say in who the US bombs, or for what manufactured reasons.

Which is why the United States has selfless public servants such as Maxine Waters, who wants Putin to withdraw from Korea — or else.

Even the media is doing its part to help educate the American public. Here's the classic example from Fox News:

We're noticing a familiar pattern when it comes to American war-making: Everyone agrees that US bombs must be dropped on far-away people, but correctly placing these bombs is a bit of a nuisance. Isn't there a Google App for this? There definitely should be.

At the end of the day, it doesn't really matter. So long as the bombs are dropped.

 

[jhungary]

lol......it must have been slow news day.

Everyone knows a simple fact that if you have not travel or studied on a country, you probably don't know where it is. I am a very learned person, I have been travel almost everywhere, but can I point out the country of Bulgaria from this map?

NO

So, I am going to have an open Challenge to all Chinese member, can you in all seriously point out these 3 countries in Europe, South America and Africa on this map without looking at a named atlas?

- Denmark (丹麥)
- Belize (伯利茲)
- Liberia (利比里亞)

All 3 countries are very well referenced in recent World News, Denmark (well, not really need to say it, well known country in Europe, recent Double Terror Attack in 2015), Belize is the resident of McAfee Founder and CEO John McAfee which have a recent biopic coming out in 2017 staring Johnny Depp. Liberia hit the news in 2016 for Ebola Outbreak.

How many Chinese can point out any of these three country in this map?

How about country like Israel, Iraq, Afghanistan, Papua New Guinea, Bahrain, you probably heard of these countries, but in all seriousness, can you pin down these country without looking at at least Wikipedia?

If you are using knowledge of Geographical location to compare to actual political or military action, then there are something wrong with your mind.

There are 197 independent country in the world, and most of us know we only know the country that surround us or we have actually been. If you ask me, 16% know where Ukraine is in my opinion is quite high.

WHAT A TIME WASTING THREAD

 

[Stuttgart001]

lol......it must have been slow news day.

Everyone knows a simple fact that if you have not travel or studied on a country, you probably don't know where it is. I am a very learned person, I have been travel almost everywhere, but can I point out the country of Bulgaria from this map?

View attachment 391985

NO

So, I am going to have an open Challenge to all Chinese member, can you in all seriously point out these 3 countries in Europe, South America and Africa on this map without looking at a named atlas?

- Denmark (丹麥)
- Belize (伯利茲)
- Liberia (利比里亞)

All 3 countries are very well referenced in recent World News, Denmark (well, not really need to say it, well known country in Europe, recent Double Terror Attack in 2015), Belize is the resident of McAfee Founder and CEO John McAfee which have a recent biopic coming out in 2017 staring Johnny Depp. Liberia hit the news in 2016 for Ebola Outbreak.

How many Chinese can point out any of these three country in this map?

How about country like Israel, Iraq, Afghanistan, Papua New Guinea, Bahrain, you probably heard of these countries, but in all seriousness, can you pin down these country without looking at at least Wikipedia?

If you are using knowledge of Geographical location to compare to actual political or military action, then there are something wrong with your mind.

There are 197 independent country in the world, and most of us know we only know the country that surround us or we have actually been. If you ask me, 16% know where Ukraine is in my opinion is quite high.

WHAT A STUPID THREAD

Unkrain is relative important country, even you don't know its accurate location , nevertheless it's too ridiculous to point it in America and Africa .

So for- Denmark (丹麥)
- Belize (伯利茲)
- Liberia (利比里亞)
i could point out Denmark and Liberia accurately , but Belize.

 

[jhungary]

Unkrain is relative important country, even you don't know its accurate location , nevertheless it's too ridiculous to point it in America and Africa .

So for- Denmark (丹麥)
- Belize (伯利茲)
- Liberia (利比里亞)
i could point out Denmark and Liberia accurately , but Belize.

The thing is, how important is relative, if I listen to current affair, I have time to care about world news, it may be important to me.

Just because US is helping Ukraine does not mean they are important to normal American, especially the one that decided to watch American Idol instead of 60 Minutes.

If I don't know the location of a country, then I may think it is where ever it is, it could be basically anywhere, so it is not a surprise if I point it in America, Africa or Antarctica. Because some people may think it is some American City (like Bismarck North Dakota, Sydney, Nova Scotia or Brisbane, California.) When the actual well known City is in German, and Australia respectively.

By the way, it will be a shame you cannot point out where Denmark is if you had lived in Germany for any considerable time, when both share a border, Belize is next to the southern tips of Mexico, many people believe Belize is actually in Africa. And you should know Liberia if you listen to world news as it was in the central western coastal city in Africa

It would be a different set of country for you if you want to test your geographical knowledge. That list is for continental Chinese Member only.

 

[Stuttgart001]

IMO, most Chinese who got a high-school education would not locate Ukraine in America or Africa. The geograhic education of China would not allow that mistake.
If you insist it is normal, I would blame it on US's education.

 

[jhungary]

IMO, most Chinese who got a high-school education would not locate Ukraine in America or Africa. The geograhic education of China would not allow that mistake.
If you insist it is normal, I would blame it on US's education.

lol, that's because China is close to Russia and Ukraine, that's the same situation when you ask a normal American to point out where Cuba is or Where Columbia, they will not point it to Russia or Asia. The same question you can ask any Chinese about Saint Bart, Saint Helena, Barbados and Ask any Chinese that have not lived in the US for s considerable time, and see where they will point it to?

There exist a gap between High School education and realty, If you ask me, I took Chemist in High School, does that mean I have to know every Chemical formula now? So if I don't remember what I studied, is that a problem of the education system? Or if normal american do not know how the formula of TNT, or how to balance any oxidizing chemical formula now, does that mean we cannot make bombs?

Beside, was it really that important where and which country is located? We have GPS, Google map which can flip open a route anytime, you don't need to know where Ukraine is, but does that mean you will get lost if you want to drive from Germany to Ukraine?

It's the same thing when you are ask to do simple calculation, when is the last time you break out a pen and paper and do long division? When you have everything from phones to computer that can do any simple mathematics for you? So is it a problem for US education when people used to use a phone and do their groceries bill and don't really know how to do long division anymore?

 

[Stuttgart001]

lol, that's because China is close to Russia and Ukraine, that's the same situation when you ask a normal American to point out where Cuba is or Where Columbia, they will not point it to Russia or Asia. The same question you can ask any Chinese about Saint Bart, Saint Helena, Barbados and Ask any Chinese that have not lived in the US for s considerable time, and see where they will point it to?

There exist a gap between High School education and realty, If you ask me, I took Chemist in High School, does that mean I have to know every Chemical formula now? So if I don't remember what I studied, is that a problem of the education system?

Beside, was it really that important where and which country is located? We have GPS, Google map which can flip open a route anytime, you don't need to know where Ukraine is, but does that mean you will get lost if you want to drive from Germany to Ukraine?

It's the same thing when you are ask to do simple calculation, when is the last time you break out a pen and paper and do long division? When you have everything from phones to computer that can do any simple mathematics for you? So is it a problem for US education when people used to use a phone and do their groceries bill and don't really know how to do long division anymore?

I don't say geography education is very important .
Just a statement of reality.
Chinese schools really teach a lot more content which you think is not important.

 

[jhungary]

I don't say geography education is very important .
Just a statement of reality.
Chinese schools really teach a lot more content which you think is not important.

look, I was educated in Hong Kong and China, I know how Chinese education works.

I am not saying Chinese teaches more stuff than they should in the West, what I am saying is that really important?

The OP article said the American cannot bomb anyone because they don't know where Ukraine is, and the question is, is it really the case?

We all learn stuff in High School, Primary School or Kindergarten, some we remember, some we don't. The education system is there to teach us stuff, how much we retain is our own problem, and as much as you can do in China, where I studied 10 subject in High School and Middle School, including Chinese, English, Mathematics, Chinese History, Western History, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Computer Studies and Religious Studies. Compare to average 5-8 Subjects in US middle schools, and they focus on other things, with elective such as leadership, secondary language, and stuff like bible studies.

That does not mean I am going to need all these after I graduate, and in time, some of these item will be forgotten because we do not use them. And the one it thrive is the one we use them often.

Now back to the question, beside being a travel agent, or probably a pilot, how often would an Normal American would need to utilise the geography knowledge? So if many of them cannot point to where it was, some even point it to Americas or Africa, what does that mean? Does that mean US educational system have a flaw? Or does it mean we cannot bomb Ukraine or Russia? lol

What it meant is that people don't care about Geography, unless it's close to you or you have actually been there, as I said, you probably would think Belize is in Africa, it have an African sounding name, and you don't actually know where it was, to an American, most of them know where Belize is, chances are they went there for their last vacation, and would you see American laugh at Chinese for putting Belize in Africa?

But then again, what does that mean anyway? Basically, it means you don't know where Belize is, the same question goes to people cannot point Ukraine in a right direction, be it in America, Africa or Antarctica, what does that mean really? That mean they don't know where Ukraine was. It's that simple.

Ask any American for that matter, if you don't agree with me
@gambit @Hamartia Antidote @KAL-EL

 

[Fledgingwings]

What goes round comes around !

 

[Stuttgart001]

look, I was educated in Hong Kong and China, I know how Chinese education works.

I am not saying Chinese teaches more stuff than they should in the West, what I am saying is that really important?

The OP article said the American cannot bomb anyone because they don't know where Ukraine is, and the question is, is it really the case?

We all learn stuff in High School, Primary School or Kindergarten, some we remember, some we don't. The education system is there to teach us stuff, how much we retain is our own problem, and as much as you can do in China, where I studied 10 subject in High School and Middle School, including Chinese, English, Mathematics, Chinese History, Western History, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Computer Studies and Religious Studies. Compare to average 5-8 Subjects in US middle schools, and they focus on other things, with elective such as leadership, secondary language, and stuff like bible studies.

That does not mean I am going to need all these after I graduate, and in time, some of these item will be forgotten because we do not use them. And the one it thrive is the one we use them often.

Now back to the question, beside being a travel agent, or probably a pilot, how often would an Normal American would need to utilise the geography knowledge? So if many of them cannot point to where it was, some even point it to Americas or Africa, what does that mean? Does that mean US educational system have a flaw? Or does it mean we cannot bomb Ukraine or Russia? lol

What it meant is that people don't care about Geography, unless it's close to you or you have actually been there, as I said, you probably would think Belize is in Africa, it have an African sounding name, and you don't actually know where it was, to an American, most of them know where Belize is, chances are they went there for their last vacation, and would you see American laugh at Chinese for putting Belize in Africa?

But then again, what does that mean anyway? Basically, it means you don't know where Belize is, the same question goes to people cannot point Ukraine in a right direction, be it in America, Africa or Antarctica, what does that mean really? That mean they don't know where Ukraine was. It's that simple.

Ask any American for that matter, if you don't agree with me
@gambit @Hamartia Antidote @KAL-EL

For individual， maybe it really doesn't matter.
But for an ethnic or a country, it really matters.

 

[Hamartia Antidote]

look, I was educated in Hong Kong and China, I know how Chinese education works.

I am not saying Chinese teaches more stuff than they should in the West, what I am saying is that really important?

The OP article said the American cannot bomb anyone because they don't know where Ukraine is, and the question is, is it really the case?

We all learn stuff in High School, Primary School or Kindergarten, some we remember, some we don't. The education system is there to teach us stuff, how much we retain is our own problem, and as much as you can do in China, where I studied 10 subject in High School and Middle School, including Chinese, English, Mathematics, Chinese History, Western History, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Computer Studies and Religious Studies. Compare to average 5-8 Subjects in US middle schools, and they focus on other things, with elective such as leadership, secondary language, and stuff like bible studies.

That does not mean I am going to need all these after I graduate, and in time, some of these item will be forgotten because we do not use them. And the one it thrive is the one we use them often.

Now back to the question, beside being a travel agent, or probably a pilot, how often would an Normal American would need to utilise the geography knowledge? So if many of them cannot point to where it was, some even point it to Americas or Africa, what does that mean? Does that mean US educational system have a flaw? Or does it mean we cannot bomb Ukraine or Russia? lol

What it meant is that people don't care about Geography, unless it's close to you or you have actually been there, as I said, you probably would think Belize is in Africa, it have an African sounding name, and you don't actually know where it was, to an American, most of them know where Belize is, chances are they went there for their last vacation, and would you see American laugh at Chinese for putting Belize in Africa?

But then again, what does that mean anyway? Basically, it means you don't know where Belize is, the same question goes to people cannot point Ukraine in a right direction, be it in America, Africa or Antarctica, what does that mean really? That mean they don't know where Ukraine was. It's that simple.

Ask any American for that matter, if you don't agree with me
@gambit @Hamartia Antidote @KAL-EL

BTW this article is from http://russia-insider.com/en/basic-...s-be-major-obstacle-pointless-us-wars/ri19656

It all has to do with how important the country is in both past history and modern history and how close it is to your country. If you ask me to locate all the former Soviet states on a map I certainly wouldn't guarantee the accuracy. Certainly apathy plays a huge part.

I think pointing out countries like Belize, Anguilla, Togo, and Tuvalu is going to stump many people across the world as they are not exactly headline makers.

Israel, Iraq, Afghanistan, Papua New Guinea, Bahrain

You got me on the exact location of Papua New Guinea. I should know it from WW2.

 

[jhungary]

For individual， maybe it really doesn't matter.
But for an ethnic or a country, it really matters.

it's only matters if you want it to be.

As I said, they learn different stuff in the US, geography is not very top of that list, as I said, unless you really believe since only 16% of American can point out where Ukraine is, then they cannot send troop or drive to Ukraine, but if you really believe that, then I think you are the one that have a problem.

So much I can say today youngster no long process the ability to do long division, even if only 16% of the population can do long division on a paper, does that really matter?

Let just say your point of view is different than mine, people don't care which country is where in the West, does that mean they won't know if they have to? The same thing goes with basically everything, long division, history, and any given subject.

It all has to do with how important the country is in both past history and modern history and how close it is to your country. If you ask me to locate all the former Soviet states on a map I certainly wouldn't guarantee the accuracy. Certainly apathy plays a huge part.

I think pointing out countries like Belize, Anguilla, Togo, and Tuvalu is going to stump many people across the world as they are not exactly headline makers.

True, am not saying American is dumb (Unlike the OP implies) but the fact to the matter is, how "relative" a country to you.

Take Ukraine for example. obviously if you are an Ukrainian born American, or Russian Born, or have relative in Ukraine, having a Ukrainian Husband and Wife, or you are a geography professor, then yeah, it would be stupid to not be able to point out where Ukraine is.

A country is important to you depends on how its relative to you.

I point out Belize because it is probably the most confusing country in the world, but if you are an American, chances are you have been there for any sort of vacation, and thus, chances are you will know where belize located if you are an American.

Same goes to Vanuatu, PNG, Samoa and New Caledonia to Australia, Ascension, Tenerife, Malta, the Azore and Madeira to European. and Taiwan, Laos, Thailand for Asian.