Just how stupid are Americans?

About some things, Americans are incredibly stupid. For instance, I’ve kept an eye on science and religion related ignorance for years. 15% of Americans don’t know that the Earth revolves around the sun. Half of the people in the United States (an allegedly “Christian Nation”)  can’t name Genesis as the first book in the Bible.

There are a lot more statistics where those came from. If you’d like to read a few dozen zingers, read Rick Shenkman’s article in Alternet, “Ignorant America: Just How Stupid Are We?” There are some real head-shakers in Shenkman’s article. Several might have you wondering whether we should require citizens to pass rudimentary intelligence tests in order to vote. Shenkman’s compilation of stupidity had me wondering this. I know that this is an extremely controversial idea based on the way it has been misused in the past. It is clear, though that huge numbers of people have no idea how their government is designed to work, who is running their government, the basic characteristics of the scientific method, the basic facts of the religions to which they cling, or rudimentary principles of geography, history or economics. Now really . . . should such a person vote? This question makes me squirm.

I’m not really suggesting that we should take official government action to keep people from voting based on their intelligence levels. On the other hand, reading Shenkman’s article makes me wonder whether our “Get out the vote” campaigns should be focused on getting …

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I don’t like Trivia Nights

[Warning: This Post is rated “R” for Rant] 

I’ve been to several Trivia Nights, so I do have some basis for opining on this topic. It’s time that I made my feelings absolutely clear: I do not like trivia nights.  I don’t see the point of trivia nights.  Trivia Nights are things that keep people from having good conversations. I will explain further.

I understand that Trivia Nights are often held to raise money for good causes.  I don’t have any problem with raising money for good causes.  Actually, I would happily pay a reasonable sum of money in order to not have to sit through another Trivia Night.  I will pay my fair share to help raise that money for that good cause, as long as I don’t have to attend Trivia Night.

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I should also make it clear that I sometimes enjoy trivia.  Occasionally, I find myself reading a list of trivia questions, the kind of list where I can immediately check the answer.  In that way, I can review dozens of questions per minute, until I’ve had my fill of trivia (which is usually a minute or two). Not a bad diversion, once in awhile.

What I don’t like, however, is an intentional onslaught of slow-motion trivia.  Trivia Nights consist of intentional onslaughts of slow-motion trivia.  Each question is read slowly to a room filled with dozens tables that are each filled with people.  The tables compete against each other.  Each question is simultaneously considered for a …

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