American Ignorance

By Daniel Miessler on July 14th, 2006: Tagged as Culture | Education | Politics

A buddy of mine just took a new job that’s going to require some traveling abroad. He’ll be visiting places like Europe, South America, and India, to name a few.

He lives in a small town in the South and when he told his current co-workers (they’re in IT, by the way) that he’d be traveling to India, he was awoken to just how ignorant people are in this country.

They started making camel and Allah jokes; evidently they think India is in the Middle East.

This country’s days are numbered; a democracy can only be supported by an intelligent, free-thinking population — not ignorant sheeple. We’re increasingly becoming the latter. It’s over.

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View Comments

  • Steve
    I didn't know Indiana was in the middle Eastern time zone...
  • Actually, Tim, the Middle East is in India. Sheesh. ;)
  • Tim
    You mean India isn't in the Middle East?
  • Michael S Black
    I'm gonna side with Dan as well. I consider my self a rather "cosmopolitan" person, and have spent over 5 years total time "in country" in Japan (over the space of say 20 calendar years), as well as many trips to SE Asia and the Indian sub-continent, and the truth is that "most" Americans really are ignorant and loutish. They lack the desire, or they fail to express it, to actively learn. Failure to learn new things and challenge old ideas will inevitably lead to ignorance, and an ignorant citizenry leads to a moribund society.
  • Daniel
    Yeah, it's a mess everywhere...
  • Marisol
    I have to agree with Dan. Even where I'm at (Colorado), I come across ignorance. While places like Boulder seem to be very progressive, the Denver area still needs some improvement, especially in the 'burbs. During my last trip home, I became aware of ignorance even in Atlanta.
  • Ken
    I think you are being a little harsh. While I agree with you on what it takes to support democracy, I think you are a little off on the ignorance. I see us becoming more accepting. I know the town you are talking about and things there will be backward for a long time. Place like where I live are very open and progressive. Please do not judge the whole south by just a few dick weeds.
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