Awful Geography

[bertusgeert 1]

I'm sure they only take the worst people, but it still did happen...

Look on the left for the video labeled - Awful Geography
http://www.holylemon.com/index.php

I was talking to a girl outside the bar a couple of nights ago (from Kentucky). She asked where I was from.

South Africa.
-Oh wow. Where is that?
Well, do you know where Malaysia is?
-YES!
Just south of Malaysia. And a little east of Venezuala.
-Oooh, really! That so interesting! (having NOOOOO idea - her hypothalamic picture of earth just got thrown in the juicer!)

More seriously, Kallend talks about a lack of education in another thread. I absolutely agree. For a country who is "on top of the world", very few actually know what the world looks like!

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As jy dom is moet jy bloei!

[miked10270 0]

Oh that's delicious!

I hope that the Australian government will teach it's people to speak Farsi & French before they surrender!

For some time I suspected that the REAL reason that Russia wasn't nuked during the Cold War was that no bugger in the USAF could find it and this kind of proves it!

Mike.

Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable.

Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode.

[kallend 2,112]

Quote

I'm sure they only take the worst people, but it still did happen...

Look on the left for the video labeled - Awful Geography
http://www.holylemon.com/index.php

I was talking to a girl outside the bar a couple of nights ago (from Kentucky). She asked where I was from.

South Africa.
-Oh wow. Where is that?
Well, do you know where Malaysia is?
-YES!
Just south of Malaysia. And a little east of Venezuala.
-Oooh, really! That so interesting! (having NOOOOO idea - her hypothalamic picture of earth just got thrown in the juicer!)

More seriously, Kallend talks about a lack of education in another thread. I absolutely agree. For a country who is "on top of the world", very few actually know what the world looks like!

In surveys Americans place themselves at the top of the rankings for education, healthcare, etc. Are you saying they are mistaken?

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

[bertusgeert 1]

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In surveys Americans place themselves at the top of the rankings for education, healthcare, etc. Are you saying they are mistaken?

Ok then i'll bite - if you tell me, which surveys?

In any case, education is in a sad state. Americans are not the best educated people in the world. It really depends how you measure it though - number of college grads? Performance on tests? How?

My south african vs. australian vs. american high school experience showed me how horrible elementary, middle and high school education is. Ridiculous.

College is another case altogether. But that is not where education starts, you shouldn't take geography in college. Educate them better earlier, and you will see the massive difference.

America is a leader in technology. It should re-generate it's own. Educate the young!

I have heard, but can't verify, that in China, there is no dashes in phone numbers (xxx-xxx-xxxx), but it is all together (xxxxxxxxxx) and kids are taught to learnt it without trouble.

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As jy dom is moet jy bloei!

[rehmwa 2]

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South Africa.
-Oh wow. Where is that?
Well, do you know where Malaysia is?
-YES!
Just south of Malaysia. And a little east of Venezuala.
-Oooh, really! That so interesting! (having NOOOOO idea - her hypothalamic picture of earth just got thrown in the juicer!)

I wonder if she is talking to here friends right now about this dick/poser she met that claimed to be from SA and then got it all wrong claiming it to be near both SE Asia and South America.

nevermind

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Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants

[kallend 2,112]

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In surveys Americans place themselves at the top of the rankings for education, healthcare, etc. Are you saying they are mistaken?

Ok then i'll bite - if you tell me, which surveys?

Here's one to be getting on with.
According to the 32nd Annual Survey of Freshman Attitudes by American Council on Education (ACE) and the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), there is a gap between perception and reality regarding academic achievement. While a majority of freshman report having average high school grades of "B-" or higher, more than half of the students reported needing some type of remedial college school work. Despite the need for remedial work, 56 percent of the surveyed students said they are above average in academic ability.

Attitudes about health care can be found abundantly in this forum.

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

[EricTheRed 0]

There used to be a really funny TV game show http://www.tv.com/street-smarts/show/2894/summary.html
that was a very good illustration of the sheer stupidity of some of our citizens.

It is fun to laugh at idiots, even if not very PC anymore.

illegible usually

[rehmwa 2]

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According to the 32nd Annual Survey of Freshman Attitudes by American Council on Education (ACE) and the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), there is a gap between perception and reality regarding academic achievement. While a majority of freshman report having average high school grades of "B-" or higher, more than half of the students reported needing some type of remedial college school work. Despite the need for remedial work, 56 percent of the surveyed students said they are above average in academic ability. .

Do you think this has anything to do with the schools taking a very leftist position to: not give grades, not rank the children, not allow winners and losers in both athletic and scholastic competition, etc. The teachers take it easy on the kids, rather than challenge them, they don't want them to "FEEL" like they aren't having success, etc.

My little girl wants to win what she calls a 'real' trophy. She gets a trophy every year in dance class, all the kids do because they are 'winners just because of the effort they put in'. She's only 10 and still recognizes that it's a joke. She wants to compete and win against other kids - not to make them feel bad, but just so she can be rewarded for being better at something. Her school doesn't really allow that either, and it doesn't lean as far left as most schools.

No wonder that all kids think they are 'above average'. They are told this all the time, even if they are not. I'm waiting for the standardized tests to be changed to not give percentiles. Wouldn't want the kids to feel they aren't doing so well (wouldn't want to the kids to know where they stand so those that want to try harder have a reason to).

why, I bet about half of them are below average and nothing is wrong with that as long as we don't fool ourselves.

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Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants

[kallend 2,112]

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According to the 32nd Annual Survey of Freshman Attitudes by American Council on Education (ACE) and the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), there is a gap between perception and reality regarding academic achievement. While a majority of freshman report having average high school grades of "B-" or higher, more than half of the students reported needing some type of remedial college school work. Despite the need for remedial work, 56 percent of the surveyed students said they are above average in academic ability. .

Do you think this has anything to do with the schools taking a very leftist position to: not give grades, not rank the children, not allow winners and losers in both athletic and scholastic competition, etc. The teachers take it easy on the kids, rather than challenge them, they don't want them to "FEEL" like they aren't having success, etc.

My little girl wants to win what she calls a 'real' trophy. She gets a trophy every year in dance class, all the kids do because they are 'winners just because of the effort they put in'. She's only 10 and still recognizes that it's a joke. She wants to compete and win against other kids - not to make them feel bad, but just so she can be rewarded for being better at something. Her school doesn't really allow that either, and it doesn't lean as far left as most schools.

No wonder that all kids think they are 'above average'. They are told this all the time, even if they are not. I'm waiting for the standardized tests to be changed to not give percentiles. Wouldn't want the kids to feel they aren't doing so well (wouldn't want to the kids to know where they stand so those that want to try harder have a reason to).

why, I bet about half of them are below average and nothing is wrong with that as long as we don't fool ourselves.

School policies come from elected school boards. Don't blame the teachers, blame the voters.

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

[rehmwa 2]

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Don't blame the teachers, blame the voters.

Cop out. I think there's plenty of blame all around - don't you?

Edit: You teach in a different environment - acknowledged. But I'm sure that your curriculum and book selection and class structure was just handed to you and you must 100% comply? Must be a very unsatisfying job then since you have zero input in how or what to teach......

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Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants

[Nightingale 0]

56% of college students may actually be above average academically, depending on how you're measuring it. If they're measuring just college students, than at least 6% would be wrong, but if they're measuring everybody, many people who are below average academically don't go to college. Depending on what that number is, the kids who claim they're above average might actually be right.

[rehmwa 2]

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56% of college students may actually be above average academically, depending on how you're measuring it. If they're measuring just college students, than at least 6% would be wrong, but if they're measuring everybody, many people who are below average academically don't go to college. Depending on what that number is, the kids who claim they're above average might actually be right.

There was a telvised IQ test a couple years ago, the results were fun - the worst group in the sample scored 104, the average was 112. (It was a closed test, i.e., the scoring was supposed to just rank those that participated). Ahh TV - where would we be without your gentle influence.

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Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants

[lawrocket 3]

I find it to be a truism that Americans are not as highly educated or aware about the rest of the world. There was a guy in Canada, Rick Mercer, who did a special called "Talking to Americans." Previously, it was a segment on a show much like Leon's "Jaywalking" segment. He'd interview Americans, and even politicos (including GWB and governors and members of Congress) - even professors and studentsa at places like Harvard and COlumbia - about issues in Canada.

Some of the issues were:

1) Getting people to sign petitions to put pressure on Canada to outlaw the yearly Saskatchewan Seal hunt (Saskatchewan is landlocked and is comparable in its geography to Kansas);

2) Getting Petitions signed to stop euthanasia of elderly by placing them on ice floes (this was done at Harvard)

3) Seeking comments on the Saskatchewan navy;

4) Seeking comments on Canda's legalization of insulin.

Plenty of things like that. It was entertaining.

But, I think a bigger issue is that we are not even really aware of the COUNTRY we live in. So we can't name all of the Canadian states.* Most folks cannot even name the US States. Or the state capitals. How many don't even know how many stars are on the flag.

When the heartland of the US is "flyover country" and there's the perception about country bumpkins and rednecks from anyone who isn't a coastal urbanite or suburbanite, it says plenty.

So we as Americans aren't totally up on the world. Nobody is. had my best friend not been a Belgian Canadian, I'm sure I wouldn't have nearly the knowledge of the world. I'm fortunate, in that respect. And he's learned plenty from me about the US (even though he's lived in more places, I help give him context).

Plenty of us Americans have a lot to learn about our own backyard. I'll work on that before I worry too much about my neighbors.

And one more thing - I remember an episode of Jaywalking when he asked a guy, "Who wrote 1984?" The guy said, "Van Halen." While there was the standard laugh track, I thought to myself, "You know, the guy is not wrong. That answer is just as correct as if he'd answered 'George Orwell.'"



* Yes, I know Canada has "provinces."

My wife is hotter than your wife.

[artistcalledian 0]

They say that only 10% of Americans own a passport, the things is, they say that as if it's a bad thing !

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drive it like you stole it and f*ck the police

[rehmwa 2]

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When the heartland of the US is "flyover country" and there's the perception about country bumpkins and rednecks from anyone who isn't a coastal urbanite or suburbanite, it says plenty.

Careful there, I'm sure they were all nodding their heads until they read this and found out you were including them, too.

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Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants

[miked10270 0]

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They say that only 10% of Americans own a passport, the things is, they say that as if it's a bad thing !

In some way it IS a bad thing! I know that the various Kilt Sellers of Scotland really want more Americans coming here to absorb the culture, the history, and incidentally buy McSchwartzenburger, MacVincente & McPodulski clan tartans!

The more Americans we have with passports, the healthier our MacInitup Tartan industy is.
Mike.

Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable.

Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode.

[rehmwa 2]

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They say that only 10% of Americans own a passport, the things is, they say that as if it's a bad thing !

In some way it IS a bad thing!

I bet most europeans have passports and use them all the time. I also bet that many of them haven't left a 1500 mile radius from their home in their lifetimes. I also bet there are thousands of americans without passports that have traveled outside a radius that size (even if it's just New York to bumpkin-land to the left coast and back).

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Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants

[artistcalledian 0]

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They say that only 10% of Americans own a passport, the things is, they say that as if it's a bad thing !

In some way it IS a bad thing! I know that the various Kilt Sellers of Scotland really want more Americans coming here to absorb the culture, the history, and incidentally buy McSchwartzenburger, MacVincente & McPodulski clan tartans!



The more Americans we have with passports, the healthier our MacInitup Tartan industy is.
Mike.

my girlfriend lives in Fort William and i'll be moving up to Scotland next year. We've travelled round Scotland quite a fair bit seeing the sights. I've lost count of the number of Americans i've met, and as much as it pains me to ay this... they've all been really friendly unlike the bloody Germans that you see all on thier BMW bikes... driving on the wrong side of the roads like fools LOL

________________________________________
drive it like you stole it and f*ck the police

[Steel 0]

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56% of college students may actually be above average academically, depending on how you're measuring it. If they're measuring just college students, than at least 6% would be wrong, but if they're measuring everybody, many people who are below average academically don't go to college. Depending on what that number is, the kids who claim they're above average might actually be right.

thats not accurate assume the following senario:
You have 12 students and they all take a test. The grades are as follows:
8 students get '10 points' and 4 get '2 points' each.
What is the average? 7.333
What percentage scored above average? 66.66%

Math is fun
.

If I could make a wish, I think I'd pass.
Can't think of anything I need
No cigarettes, no sleep, no light, no sound.
Nothing to eat, no books to read.

[kallend 2,112]

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Don't blame the teachers, blame the voters.

Cop out. I think there's plenty of blame all around - don't you?

Edit: You teach in a different environment - acknowledged. But I'm sure that your curriculum and book selection and class structure was just handed to you and you must 100% comply? Must be a very unsatisfying job then since you have zero input in how or what to teach......

We're private, not public. I make it all up as I go along.

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

[kelpdiver 2]

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I was talking to a girl outside the bar a couple of nights ago (from Kentucky). She asked where I was from.

South Africa.
-Oh wow. Where is that?
Well, do you know where Malaysia is?
-YES!
Just south of Malaysia. And a little east of Venezuala.
-Oooh, really! That so interesting! (having NOOOOO idea - her hypothalamic picture of earth just got thrown in the juicer!)

The world would be better off without jackasses trying to prove a point by lying. I've had people do it with me too. I suspect they're FOS, but it's a friendly drinking conversation and no need to question the person's intelligence. Often I'll let it slide and look it up later.

Of course, if the person is annoying, it's fun to call them on their talk. But otherwise, be cool.

[rickjump1 0]

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They say that only 10% of Americans own a passport, the things is, they say that as if it's a bad thing !

In some way it IS a bad thing!

I bet most europeans have passports and use them all the time. I also bet that many of them haven't left a 1500 mile radius from their home in their lifetimes. I also bet there are thousands of americans without passports that have traveled outside a radius that size (even if it's just New York to bumpkin-land to the left coast and back).

Don't forget my redneck friends who travel that far just to hunt or fish, and don't forget the ones that went to the moon bypassing Europe. National Lampoon's European Vacation says it all about us average Americans.

Do your part for global warming: ban beans and hold all popcorn farts.

[GTAVercetti 0]

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Don't blame the teachers, blame the voters.

Cop out. I think there's plenty of blame all around - don't you?

Edit: You teach in a different environment - acknowledged. But I'm sure that your curriculum and book selection and class structure was just handed to you and you must 100% comply? Must be a very unsatisfying job then since you have zero input in how or what to teach......

Teachers in secondary and elementary school may be able to design their curriculum (around certain basic guidelines of course), but if it is decided that scores or awards will not be given on a schoolwide basis, they have no say in that. And if the parents allow the board to continue with such policy, I would say they and the board have much more blame than a teacher.

Now if we are talking one teacher only who does not give score cause everyone is a winner, there is quite a difference and we can simply blame that teacher.

Why yes, my license number is a palindrome. Thank you for noticing.

[jakee 1,564]

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The world would be better off without jackasses trying to prove a point by lying. I've had people do it with me too. I suspect they're FOS, but it's a friendly drinking conversation and no need to question the person's intelligence. Often I'll let it slide and look it up later.

Yes, often that can be annoying but in this case it was South Africa. The clue's in the name!!

Do you want to have an ideagasm?

[rehmwa 2]

I still think that girl is talking to her friends about this guy who claimed to be from SA but he didn't know where it was. They are laughing at him.

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Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants