Stupid Students

[orange]

it's 'Democratic Republic of the Congo' IIRC

[Inverse Icarus]

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

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.

[Dauphin]

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".

[Provost Harrison]

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.

[Provost Harrison]

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

[Pavlov]

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*

[drake]

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.

[Provost Harrison]

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...

[Dauphin]

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.

[Provost Harrison]

I remember that picture of Czech republic/Switerland mixed up. Does anyone have it?

[drake]

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?

[Vlad Antlerkov]

PH: Here ya go.

[Dauphin]

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.

[Par4]

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.

[orange]

Sag - the Versailles thing is priceless Was he very confused?

[Dauphin]

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.

[Boris Godunov]

You should have told them that, if they intended to walk, they should wear water-proof shoes.

[Hobbes]

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.

[Provost Harrison]

Thanks Vlad, I have been after that picture for a while to show someone

Well what's the capital of Lesotho then?

[Col Bigspear]

Hope the pic works

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

[chequita guevara]

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!

[Provost Harrison]

I like that picture. Sums it all up really doesn't it

[Immortal Wombat]

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.

[loinburger]

I just borrowed an idea from the local gas station and attached my keys to a cinder block.

[Space05us]

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