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Tuesday, May 02, 2006
I Wonder: Our View of the World
A poll found that 6 out of 10 Americans between the ages of 18 and 24 can't find Iraq on a map. But they can be sent there to kill.
Nearly 75 % of those polled thought that English is the most widely spoken native language in the world. That's how English-centrically we think.
And I wonder... Are 18 year olds prepared to be able to vote? To make decisions that affect the world? Are any of us?
Take the survey
AMONG THE FINDINGS:
* 33 percent could not pinpoint Louisiana on a map
* 48 percent could not locate Mississippi
* Only a third said it was important to know locations of countries in news
* Only 14 percent believed speaking another language is a necessary skill
* Two thirds did not know an earthquake killed 70,000 in Pakistan in 2005
* Six in 10 could not find Iraq on a map of the Middle East
* 47 percent could not find the Indian subcontinent on a map of Asia
* 75 percent could not locate Israel on a map of the Middle East
* About three-fourths incorrectly said English is most widely spoken language
* Six in 10 did not know North-South Korea border is the most fortified in the world
* Thirty percent thought most heavily fortified border is U.S.-Mexico
EFFORTS TO IMPROVE:
* Plans for a five-year, multimedia campaign
* It will be called "My Wonderful World"
* Targets children 8 to 17
* Goal is to motivate parents and educators to expand geographic offerings
THE STUDY:
* Done for National Geographic
* Questioned by the Roper organization
* Questioned 510 young people in December and January
Nearly 75 % of those polled thought that English is the most widely spoken native language in the world. That's how English-centrically we think.
And I wonder... Are 18 year olds prepared to be able to vote? To make decisions that affect the world? Are any of us?
Take the survey
AMONG THE FINDINGS:
* 33 percent could not pinpoint Louisiana on a map
* 48 percent could not locate Mississippi
* Only a third said it was important to know locations of countries in news
* Only 14 percent believed speaking another language is a necessary skill
* Two thirds did not know an earthquake killed 70,000 in Pakistan in 2005
* Six in 10 could not find Iraq on a map of the Middle East
* 47 percent could not find the Indian subcontinent on a map of Asia
* 75 percent could not locate Israel on a map of the Middle East
* About three-fourths incorrectly said English is most widely spoken language
* Six in 10 did not know North-South Korea border is the most fortified in the world
* Thirty percent thought most heavily fortified border is U.S.-Mexico
EFFORTS TO IMPROVE:
* Plans for a five-year, multimedia campaign
* It will be called "My Wonderful World"
* Targets children 8 to 17
* Goal is to motivate parents and educators to expand geographic offerings
THE STUDY:
* Done for National Geographic
* Questioned by the Roper organization
* Questioned 510 young people in December and January
posted by Carol at 5:26 PM
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