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deltav · 02-12-2014, 05:46 PM

Man, I'm impressed that the semi-coherent OP topic could generate so many rambling generalizations and guys pulling opinions out their ass depending on their preconceived stereotypes and agendas.

Innate ability, learned knowledge, educational infrastructure, education as a value in mass media & culture, etc, these are all different things and you can't just mash them all together like a lot of these posts are doing.

Regardless of silly terms like "dumbest", I do think ON AVERAGE in America relative to the rest of the developed world at least in the West:

1. There's far less coverage and interest in news & events abroad, and honestly a bit less curiosity about travel abroad too.

2. Less emphasis on learning foreign languages.

3. There's always been a sort of implied anti-intellectual streak, I think this is sort of a holdover from the colonial and Old West era - many of the original settlers were fringe groups & highly religious, suspicious about institutional learning, etc. This has kinda remained in the fabric of American society.

4. The rise of the Religious Right has seriously increased #3 here. As kane points out above, many on the right proudly point out their anti-intellectual credentials and certainly move to de-fund and de-emphasize education when possible. It's a real real ugly trend.

5. Mass culture all over the world is gradually dumbing down. This isn't unique to the USA, it's happening everywhere.

But America's a very large country and there are huge regional differences. The city I live in (same one as kane) I'd say *does* value education and travel and generally being aware of the rest of the world, and does have a more European sort of mindset. You could say the same thing about most cities in our region. Head down to Alabama though, and you'll see the points I made above out in full force.

Still, if the USA does continue down this path education-wise in a few generations we are going to be a very different spot on the world stage. And deservedly so.

02-12-2014, 05:46 PM
deltav Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: May 2010 Location: USA Posts: 1,243	Man, I'm impressed that the semi-coherent OP topic could generate so many rambling generalizations and guys pulling opinions out their ass depending on their preconceived stereotypes and agendas. Innate ability, learned knowledge, educational infrastructure, education as a value in mass media & culture, etc, these are all different things and you can't just mash them all together like a lot of these posts are doing. Regardless of silly terms like "dumbest", I do think ON AVERAGE in America relative to the rest of the developed world at least in the West: 1. There's far less coverage and interest in news & events abroad, and honestly a bit less curiosity about travel abroad too. 2. Less emphasis on learning foreign languages. 3. There's always been a sort of implied anti-intellectual streak, I think this is sort of a holdover from the colonial and Old West era - many of the original settlers were fringe groups & highly religious, suspicious about institutional learning, etc. This has kinda remained in the fabric of American society. 4. The rise of the Religious Right has seriously increased #3 here. As kane points out above, many on the right proudly point out their anti-intellectual credentials and certainly move to de-fund and de-emphasize education when possible. It's a real real ugly trend. 5. Mass culture all over the world is gradually dumbing down. This isn't unique to the USA, it's happening everywhere. But America's a very large country and there are huge regional differences. The city I live in (same one as kane) I'd say does value education and travel and generally being aware of the rest of the world, and does have a more European sort of mindset. You could say the same thing about most cities in our region. Head down to Alabama though, and you'll see the points I made above out in full force. Still, if the USA does continue down this path education-wise in a few generations we are going to be a very different spot on the world stage. And deservedly so. __________________ ********* DeltaofVenus.com - Vintage Erotica from the 1800s through 1979