OT: Something To Sharpen Your Mind

[Slinky]

There is no score or time limit. This is a learning tool.
Don't be afraid to make an error, try again [and again, if need be!]

http://www.rethinkingschools.org/just_f ... pgame.html

[Julie]

That's a neat little test, but I'm sort of curious why you posted it here.. just because it's timely? I do agree that people are pathetically ignorant about the world, and this at least may make what's going on more 'real' to them. I do have a question, but wouldn't want it to be taken as being critical, but I'm in Canada, however get all the U.S. TV. I am constantly shocked at how so many people, whether on game shows or otherwise, have so little knowledge about the world, and wonder if they've stopped (in some places at least) making geography a regular subject in the country... or is it just that I'm watching the wrong programs.

[rosacer]

Very interesting and very hard. I studied geography at school (long time ago) but I don't remember ever leaning about all those places (at least 50%) in that area of the world.

[packitin]

I made about a 45 on it. Must have failed geography.

[M.D.Hosehead]

I do have a question, but wouldn't want it to be taken as being critical, but I'm in Canada, however get all the U.S. TV. I am constantly shocked at how so many people, whether on game shows or otherwise, have so little knowledge about the world, and wonder if they've stopped (in some places at least) making geography a regular subject

A few observations, JMO:

Many African countries did not exist when many of us were in school, and some, e.g. Mali and Mauritania are seldom in the news.
Many ex-soviet countries were regarded as USSR until recently.
Though Americans are hardly the only chauvinists in the world, and there are ill-informed people everywhere, there is a tendency among us to regard other countries as unimportant until there's some kind of crisis.
It's no secret that public education in the US is woeful, has declined and is continuing to decline. If geography is poor, scientific literacy and numeracy are even worse.
Due to political paralysis, It has become nearly impossible in the US to address serious problems, e.g. declining public education. The future is worrisome.

[Slinky]

We have to keep in mind that many European countries are to Europe what our states are to the USA. Not that that excuses us from ignoring the rest of the world as much as we do - but - it does put a somewhat different slant on things. And as has been said, many of these countries didn't exist or existed under different names when many of us were going to school. I've found it fun playing w/this map and now know where each country is located 100%. Bahrain was the hardest for me as I had a rough idea where it should be - but had no idea just how tiny it was!!! And for some reason I kept insisting on switching Oman and Yemen around. The "stans", of course were fun since it took me forever trying to figure out how to even pronounce them.

[rested gal]

I loved that test, Slinky. I did miserably on it the first time through, and the second time, and....

I kept at it over and over until I could place each one without hesitation. Couple of days later, I did it again to see what my swiss cheese memory could "remember." Did fine, thank goodness.

I think I'll keep taking it every week or so, just to keep exercising the old brain cells.

If I can remember to do that!

[Slinky]

Yeah, that's the big IF, isn't it, RG???

I'd like to see one of Europe, another of Asia and another of South America and yet another of Africa for us to "educate" ourselves with. Matter of fact, it might be interesting to see just how ignorant we are of the rest of North America!!! Ach! Lets not forget Central America.

[Julie]

... which is not to say I didn't get plenty wrong on this thing too! All the 'stans' don't help, let alone the whole gulf - I must have been thinking about the rest of the world.

[Slinky]

... I am constantly shocked at how so many people, whether on game shows or otherwise, have so little knowledge about the world, and wonder if they've stopped (in some places at least) making geography a regular subject in the country... or is it just that I'm watching the wrong programs.

Julie, I think it is because teachers now have to teach the kids how to pass these tests evaluating how much they have improved than anything remotely educational or having to do w/how to get and hold a worthwhile job and contribute to the welfare of self, family, city, state and country.

[NightMonkey]

There is no score or time limit. This is a learning tool.
Don't be afraid to make an error, try again [and again, if need be!]

http://www.rethinkingschools.org/just_f ... pgame.html

No need to learn geography, at least not that type, to be successful in major universities these days.

See http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/0 ... 30423.html

and http://www.aolnews.com/2011/03/04/live- ... es-stir-v/