Why are Americans so ignorant to world and national problems?

Question

simple question. im not trying to say all of them are ignorant just why is it that many Americans talk like they know whats going on but have distorted views on whats really happening.

Answer 1

Well the biggest reason why American have distorted views on national issues is because we are taught distorted history. We believe we are the good guys not matter what. Most Americans are sheep, and have no desire to form their own opinions and think for themselves.

Answer 2

I think a big part is that America has historically been fairly isolated from many of the issues in the rest of the world (those two big oceans don't help matters). Since the majority of Americans will never go to another country, even the U.S. or Canada, there might be less awareness because of a perception that those events couldn't possibly affect their lives.

Other than that, many people confuse national pride with an unwillingness to learn about other cultures or international issues. Many have accused the current president of that very thing.

Anyway, those might be a couple reasons.

Answer 3

For a couple of reasons. First off is peer pressure in our own country. If we disagree with our President were called unpatriotic (which we're not, since not being in agreement with him is written into our Constitution is therefore protected), also, our President is a bit, well dim and has a tendency to hide certain facts from us so that we don't always KNOW the extent of what is going on. Then when the media "breaks the story" the media takes a beating because they have "betrayed a trust," while not true, it gives right-wing people something to distract with.

Another reason is people who live in america are at times, literally up to 5,000 miles or more away from whats happening and with trying to feed their children, buy gas and get their children to school, homework done and get all the housework done as well, have little time to get involved with the world at large. And for you to think they have a problem because of this is showing yourself to be an elitest *sshole.

Answer 4

A growing body of research and evidence indicates a second dilemma facing American secondary schools: large, comprehensive schools, especially those serving high concentrations of economically disadvantaged students and students of color, need a radical overhaul if they are to be successful in raising and sustaining achievement. Small schools, accompanied by significant changes in instructional practice facilitated by the shift to a smaller scale, offer a highly promising approach to improve teaching and learning.

The core idea of these schools is that international knowledge and skills are no longer a luxury for diplomats, business leaders, or scholars. They are an everyday necessity for all citizens if we are to meet the economic and security challenges of the 21st century. Urban high school students deserve an opportunity to develop the capacity to be successful within the global environment. And we believe that the study of world cultures, languages, and international issues can serve as a catalyst for the reform of our nation’s high schools.

Answer 5

the view of the world all depends on the country you live in! It's not Americans that have a different view of the world. If you don't believe go to BBC or any other countries news service and check out their views on world events!

Answer 6

5 corporations own and operate 85% of all media in this country. So the first thing news corporations will do in this country is to protect their investments internationally and domestically at the expense of their readership. To add to this, our government with the help of their public relations machine (C.P.I. - Committee of Public Information) control how stories are spun to the American public. So in a nutshell, why are Americans ignorant? Not really their fault when the information they get is false to begin with. It is very sad that I personally have to read foreign newspapers to find out what is happening in my country.

Answer 7

I dont know hpw they could do such a thing. Even their president has no idea about whats hapening in the middle east, yet he manages to say israel has the riht to defend itself. In his eyes defending means killing innocent civilians and waging an open war against an innocent country with one terrorist group in it and killing civilians. If his thinking is true i would be attacking germany now for having terrorists or neo-nazis. He also thinks that the lebanewse government is innocent but israel has the right to damage their country. Americans are the only people i heard till now approving israels military actions.

Answer 8

because the mass hypnosis caused by our media makes people act in a certain way.
the TV gives people subliminal messages and implants false information into their brains. that's why many people react the same.
it's up to you to educate yourself and some people simply dont have the option to do so or just too lazy to try.

Answer 9

Some just don't care. Sometimes our media gives a twisted spin on the rest of the world.

Answer 10

Why are you picking on the Americans. Our government does not ask me before they do something crazy? I don't approve of hardly anything the congress and "W" do. Talk about them. I am jus along for the ride.