16-08-2002 21:17									#91
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it's 'Democratic Republic of the Congo' IIRC

	16-08-2002 21:17									#92
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quote: You want to know why they won't listen? Because they got other **** to deal with... people don't got little nice homes and **** where they can go and do their homework and have their mommy and daddy helping them if they got a problem... plenty of people just plain don't see the need in trying. It's all the same... whether you try or not, you'll have a kid by the time you're 18... so people say f--- that... they ain't trying... And where do you people go to school?

if they dont see the "need in trying" as you oput it they shouldn't be in the schools weighing down the students that to see the "need in trying". if they don't want to try get the hell out.

There's a guy in our neighborhood whos a few years older than me. His father died a few years back and he had to quit highschool and get a job laying down carpets to support his family.

But he still got his GED and is going to community college during the night. I guess he still sees the "need in trying".

And i'm going to Rensselaer if you care (i'm fairly sure you wont).

and loinburger: i'm keeping that quote on record

quote: Ah well, there's an easy solution to effect cultural change: wait until the anti-intellectualism in the US causes it to be overwhelmed by the intellectualism of a superior culture. Or vice-versa, I suppose.

	16-08-2002 23:34									#93
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quote: Not to say I don't know these things, but really, why does it matter that much? If a man can read and write and do his job well, what more can society ask?

If people are unaware of things such as basic relevant geography, you begin to question their knowledge in other areas.

In a job environment where you a just a monkey doing a repetitively simple job, no problem. If you are in a job environment that requires a bit of thought and applied knowledge you may worry they have gaps in necessary knowledge.

Actually this thread reminds me of an occasion when I was walking through Trafalgar Square, London and an American tourist asked me which way it was to Versaille Palace. I said - "That way, about 200 miles".

	17-08-2002 00:16									#94
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quote: Originally posted by The Vagabond Personally I believe that excessive education levels in a society can be counter-productive. There are still a lot of jobs that require relatively unskilled labor. If everyone is too educated, who will fill in those jobs?

Well we are moving to a point where skill is needed and the amount of pure numerical manpower for manual labour is declining, just a thing of technology to an extent. So the obvious need is for a higher level of education in society.

I acknowledge academic learning really isn't for everyone, and thus, the nature of education depends on the individual...some people may be better learning more applied things rather than intellectual stuff. I, for example, am very 'top heavy' in my abilities - gifted at the sciences but utterly hopeless at the arts and sport...we all have to find what we are good at. General education is important up to a point, but I consider a lot of what I was taught, personally, to be a complete and utter waste of time as well. As I say, people specialise, and if they are doing something that they enjoy and are good at, they are less likely to cause trouble.

	17-08-2002 00:21									#95
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quote: Actually this thread reminds me of an occasion when I was walking through Trafalgar Square, London and an American tourist asked me which way it was to Versaille Palace. I said - "That way, about 200 miles".

Hehe, that's very 'American tourist'. I remember being with a friend walking along Boothferry Road in Hessle, Hull years ago (which leads onto the A63/M62) and an American couple pulled up and asked 'Is this Liverpool?'. We had to point out that they had driven to the wrong side of the country, and would have to turn around and drive 130 miles in the opposite direction

	17-08-2002 00:23									#96
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quote: Originally posted by orange it's 'Democratic Republic of the Congo' IIRC

Ha! I love countries who have to put "democratic" in their names. *nods to DDR*

	17-08-2002 00:28									#97
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quote: Originally posted by Sagacious Dolphin If people are unaware of things such as basic relevant geography, you begin to question their knowledge in other areas. In a job environment where you a just a monkey doing a repetitively simple job, no problem. If you are in a job environment that requires a bit of thought and applied knowledge you may worry they have gaps in necessary knowledge.

Well what is relevant? Because I know where Idaho is I'm suddenly a better worker? No, I really don't buy that one bit. Someone can be completely ignorant to things around them and be so involved in themselves and their work, that something like geography has no bearing at all on their job performance, or even their ability to function in society.

A programming job for instance requires problem solving skills. Not geography skills. Not once will Bill Gates come to one of his employers and ask them where Timbuktu is. He doesn't care, nor should he.

Specializing in specific areas, as PH mentioned, is IMO more important today than being a man of moderate knowledge in broader areas.

I do believe more education is better than less education, though I do not subscribe to the idea that because someone doesn't know their geography all that well, that they are dumb.

	17-08-2002 00:41									#98
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I was amazed at how many friends wouldn't be able to place Hull on a map of the UK. And this was at Oxford...so even some of the most 'intelligent' people don't seem to have a very well rounded general knowledge...

	17-08-2002 00:46									#99
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quote: A programming job for instance requires problem solving skills. Not geography skills. Not once will Bill Gates come to one of his employers and ask them where Timbuktu is. He doesn't care, nor should he

I'm not arguing specific information is relevant, but if you don't know any European countries or any major events in history, an employer will wonder if you have knowledge at all.

Do you remember that blunder by CNN that stated the Czech Republic as Switzerland? The person doing the geography would have been better off with better knowledge of European geography. The geography of Europe is not the main knowledge required of a caption clerk, but that information proved relevant.

Basically, you never know when information will be useful. A general schooling in a broad variety of relevant subjects is important. The location of Timbuktu is parochial. The location of Tokyo or London is not.

	17-08-2002 00:50									#100
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I remember that picture of Czech republic/Switerland mixed up. Does anyone have it?

	17-08-2002 00:52									#101
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quote: The location of Timbuktu is parochial. The location of Tokyo or London is not.

Why? How does it make a difference? I only know Tokyo and London from pictures and maps. I've never been there. May never go there. So explain to me why it is important that I know their locations? How does it make a difference in ones own world if they think London is in Europe or Asia? London doesn't effect them and they don't effect London and probably never will......so why does it matter? Why?

	17-08-2002 00:53									#102
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PH: Here ya go.

Attachment: cnn.jpg
This has been downloaded 82 time(s).

	17-08-2002 01:06									#103
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Terrible...

Is anyone else reminded of cliff on cheers while reading this thread. Over educated but utterly useless to society and readily annoying.

It's good to know not just americans are stupid when it comes to geography. Very reassuring.

	17-08-2002 01:06									#104
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quote: Originally posted by drake Why? How does it make a difference? I only know Tokyo and London from pictures and maps. I've never been there. May never go there. So explain to me why it is important that I know their locations? How does it make a difference in ones own world if they think London is in Europe or Asia? London doesn't effect them and they don't effect London and probably never will......so why does it matter? Why?

If you ever find that knowing the location of London or other major world city is useful, or would have been useful, my point will be proved. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but one day, such information will be put to use.

Trivial knowledge always finds a way of becoming useful, provided it is not too obscure.

	17-08-2002 02:07									#105
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Sag - the Versailles thing is priceless Was he very confused?

	17-08-2002 02:15									#106
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They (the guy and his wife, say mid-forties) thought I was joking at first.

They said they had just come from Buckingham Palace, seen St James' Palace, heard about all the other palaces that London has (Westminster, Lambeth, Kensington etc) and presumed that "Versaille Palace must be around here somewhere!".

"I assure you it isn't".
"Are you sure?"
"Yes".

I felt like saying "Actually, I'm just kidding, its about two miles down that road, hail a cab, it'll be quicker". If I were able to be a fly on the window when the cabbie heard the request, I would have definitely done it.

	17-08-2002 02:22									#107
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You should have told them that, if they intended to walk, they should wear water-proof shoes.

	17-08-2002 03:17									#108
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I know the capital of Swaziland is Mbabane. I don't even need to look it up, it's in my vast pit of useless knowledge.

	17-08-2002 03:20									#109
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Thanks Vlad, I have been after that picture for a while to show someone

Well what's the capital of Lesotho then?

	17-08-2002 03:39									#110
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Hope the pic works

Awww it wont let me post anything over 600x0, so its pretty poor quality

Attachment: america1.jpg
This has been downloaded 46 time(s).

Last edited by Col Bigspear on 17-08-2002 at 03:44

	17-08-2002 03:41									#111
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quote: Originally posted by Boris Godunov Um, that's nothing. Many U.S. students can't find their OWN state on a map.

That's nothing, I can't find my keys!

	17-08-2002 03:41									#112
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I like that picture. Sums it all up really doesn't it

	17-08-2002 03:43									#113
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quote: That's nothing, I can't find my keys!

Get a clapper, then you can find your keys by clapping, and attach the clapper to them so you never lose them again.

	17-08-2002 05:35									#114
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I just borrowed an idea from the local gas station and attached my keys to a cinder block.

	17-08-2002 11:10									#115
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quote: Personally I believe that excessive education levels in a society can be counter-productive. There are still a lot of jobs that require relatively unskilled labor. If everyone is too educated, who will fill in those jobs?

what do you mean by unskilled? burger flipper? we dont need them, thats what us teenagers are for