Why do Americans answer questions with AMERICAN IDOL MENTALITY? Why has the AMERICAN IQ diminished so greatly?

Question

I look to understand other people in my country, but I can not! How can Americans be so blind and so ignorant. I look at many of the answers supplied on this "ask a question" & I cringe!!! I thought the internet was the best of the best......or more intelligent people, but then I see questions like "do you think George Bush is doing a good job" and people answer "yes and he's doing a great job" and all I want to do is become an ex-pat. My family has been here in the US for 8 generations.....many have fought in wars, most of us have been military (including myself), but in honesty what I see today in the US....is just garbage in and garbage out. More people know the names of American Idol contestants than heads of state, members of congress or their state representatives. Then these same morons want to talk about Christ, Religion and how good the US is in the world??? It really burns me up to know that my family and myself have put ourselves on the line for such IGNORANCE!!

Answer 1

People tend to not follow politics, because usually they don't get out what they put in. Mostly the system really doesn't work and contradicts itself and battles itself continuously.

I don't care about the head of state, congress, or my state rep, because they don't really give a hoot about me or my concerns, seriously. Or at the very least they never bothered to make me care.

Everyone told me that my vote counts, but they never PROVED that it does. Honestly, I am proud at the fact that I didn't bother to even vote for past election because nobody proved that my vote counted, sure everyone said so, but what does that mean. Hell, thanks "Florida"

I wouldn't be angry at the the general populous, however it is quite the shame to watch. But I do blame the lack of interest that govt has in it for the population. They drop the people and crap on the ideals of what America should be. More so, pointing the finger at us really doesn't change the situation or help at all. Either your part of the solution or part of the problem. So quit being part of the problem and do something about it instead of pointing the finger and blaming everyone else for your frustrations which you cannot be responsible enough to take credit for yourself and your complacency.

Answer 2

It's what our society values, sadly enough. This kind of behaviour is constantly in our media, and the human mind prefers entertainment over reality (I'm guilty of it too). The television has done it's part in this too. Had it not been for the television, where people can be angry in their own private little rooms, we probably would have impeached Bush by now. America lives on ignorance. So many people don't even vote now, and are just letting the gov't walk over them. But, like in 1984, it's all a part of keeping the citizens at bay to rule over them. It's up to the few that ignore the stupid stuff to change the world. It all starts with one person.

I hope this hasn't help incited your anger, because it wasn't meant to. I think a good idea would be to calm down (if you aren't already), and then write your observations to a trusted politician (well, as trusted as politicians can ever get). Who knows? You are capable of making a difference. =) Cheer up, though, and live out a great life today! Don't let the American stupids ruin a beautiful day.

Answer 3

I concur. People don't know what is going on in the world. More people watch American Idol than voted in the last election. The United States is a very ignorant country and I know some who can't find Canada on a map! Many don't know where the Middle East is, but they know Ashton Kutcher's shoe size. The United States is the most powerful country in the world, at least until the next generation gets in charge.

Answer 4

First, chill.

Second, there's two issues.

One is that there have always been ignorant people, its just that now with the internet, you get to see what they think about politics, instead of just passing them the street on the way to your university.

The other is that we have an educational system that was adopted, thanks to funding by early industrial monopolists and thanks to the arguments of the intellectuals they supported, on the Prussian model (involving passive sitting and sucking up info during the day instead of active learning; very different from the old multi-grade model which was a lot more like university, in which the teacher lectured, and then older students TA-ed younger in an interactive basis) to make for a more orderly, obedient workforce that wasn't so independent and creative and difficult to control as Americans used to be. It partially worked, but a lot of what they brought this school system in to stop still remains, nonetheless.

Another thing is recognize that it is possible that you are wrong on some things, and try to see multiple sides of an issue. And don't just go to the stupidest people who disagree with you; compare your position to the best of those who disagree with you. You might learn something. Most of the seething, distraught people I know on the left fail to do this. I think for the same reason most people watch American Idol - with opponents' thinking as with entertainment, its easier to find the stupid stuff that's shoved in your face.

Answer 5

Public education began to fail its clients when readin', 'ritin' and 'rithmetic was phased-out for feel-good, pop-psychology crapola like Outcome-based Education. Americans who still care have not given up and fallen in American Idol idolatry hell. I've never seen a single episode. Those people who do go in for this tripe full-scale are the ones who complain about everything and do nothing. American youth is obssessed with fame and fortune. They see some illiterate rapper put out one record, make millions, live a libertine lifestyle, get murdered, become a god in death and they want to do the same thing. The problem is that today's kids have no values. They want to start at the top and work up. They want the success borne of years and years of struggle right now if not sooner. They want the 2007 Escalade with the 72-inch spinning rims and super-ultra-low profile tires by noon today, even though they live in a trailer park and don't have a job at 0700. A 17 year-old in the worst countries in this world just wants to survive the day without losing an eye, an arm or his life entirely. Compare that to what we have here. NO VALUES-- that's our problem. And it was given to us by television and perpetuated by the Democrats over the last 50 years. I quit watching TV in November of 1997. I haven't missed it at all and have saved thousands in cable bills.

Answer 6

Your question “Why do Americans answer questions with AMERICAN IDOL MENTALITY? Why has the AMERICAN IQ diminished so greatly,” demonstrates a frustration that many have expressed here within Yahoo/Answers. To a significant degree the apparent inability to correctly use the English language diminishes the meaning and impact of any question or answer. So too does using assumptions, as opposed a factual base, to ask a question. At least to some degree, your question demonstrates these inequities, that is, the phase “American Idol Mentality” clearly implies a negative perception of those either participate in or watch American Idol. Personally, I’m not a fan of that television show, but your assertion is not supported by any clarification or supportive reference. The same is true with the phrase “American IQ” and stating that it is diminishing. Where are the references to back it up? Clearly the direction of the education system has changed direction and content since World War II, but that is quite different than a diminishing IQ. May I also suggest that that the second sentence of your question might have better impacted structured differently, maybe such as, “Why has there been such a major diminishing of the American IQ.”

Your point can also be made using other questions and answers, such as:.

Question.
“Better and more real news than Proganda News Stations like CNN & Fox. Preferably non US news agency?”
Sentence structure, such as “Some desire higher quality news sources producing a factual, multiple sided story.” Implying that some news organizations are one sided by referring to them as issuing propaganda (notice spelling) without source references, is simply doing political spinning. In addition the question demonstrated an unjustified dislike of the United States.

The following three selections are each part of answers to three other question and each demonstrates misspellings, incorrect word use and faulty sentence syntax. In addition, they demonstrate a near hatred of the United States without full consideration of factual understanding.

So, there appears to be a fundamental truth to your question, but maybe not. We are all fortunate that there are many intelligent, well educated individuals here in Yahoo/Answers who strive to ask meaningful questions as well as offering answers that actually address the question. I suggest that since you have only been here (in Yahoo/Answers) for two days, you might spend some time looking around before offering such statements thinly disguised as a question.

Part of an answer.
“If you are looking for sympathy for Israel.......please compare apples to apples and not apples to oranges!! Personally, I had little opinon about Israel, until the Iraq War. Now, I have seen for my own eyes how Israel treats it's neighbors....WITH MISSLES AND BLOODSHED. Don't talk to me about suicide bombers either. It is PRETTY SHAMEFUL, when the only military power a state/people/country have is a SUICIDE BOMBER!! How can Israel justify missles.....SUCH MILITARY MIGHT.....against a suicide bomber??”

Part of another answer.
“Personally, I was neutral about all this, prior to the Iraq war........but all this bloodshed and loss of innocent life has shown me THAT NO ONE CARES ABOUT INNOCENT LIFE, DESPITE THE RHETORIC. The only innocent lifes anyone cares about are those in their own country (i.e.; innocent US or innocent Israel), which in fact is an OXYMORON. There can be no innocent people in the US OR ISRAEL......when we can watch the innocent lifes of so many other be taken........and IT DOES NOT CAUSE ANYONE TO LOSE ANY SLEEP OVER THE LIVES LOST. We have so much blood, apathy and ignorance on our hands.....we can HARDLY BE INNOCENT!”

An yet part of a third answer.
“Have you ever heard of a self-fulfilling prophecy??? There are to many evangelicals gearing up for the rapture and end times. It is these same people, who were the majority of voters that re-elected President Bush. Please also remember the President Bush has morphed himself into "God's Right Hand Man" and has made statements to the fact that he has had personal conversations with God and "knows God's Plan". The fact that we have elected (and continue to keep employed) such an RELIGIOUS EXTREMIST....as George Bush, says to me.....WE ARE IN A WORLD OF HURT AND BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU PRAY FOR!!!”

Answer 7

And welcome to mass communication. Look at it this way. The more you answer the questions with reasonable and intelligent answers, the more they will know. I've no idea how come it has come to this, and I have seen it too, but do what you can, one question at a time, to use reason to correct the error. Baring that either take it with a grain of salt or stay off the Internet.

Answer 8

GET OUT! LEAVE! FRANCE IS WAITING! DON'T BECOME AN EX PAT! SHOW YOUR HATE FOR THE USA AND GO TO FRANCE AND RENOUNCE YOUR CITIZENSHIP. JUST BECAUSE SOMEONE DISAGREES WITH YOU DOES NOT MAKE THEM STUPID! IF YOU THINK IT DOES YOU NEED TO LIVE IN A MORE "LIBERAL" SOCIETY LIKE FRANCE WHERE EVERYONE WOULD AGREE WITH YOU. It is no mistake that I used France in this example, because we rebuilt that country after WWII (shows how good and charitable Americans are) and have never been paid back for it. They are a bunch of ingrates!

Answer 9

Oh, quit throwing mud. My family has been here for 8 generations also. Being here for 8 generations makes you very much an American. If you don't like it...leave.

Answer 10

Gigity Gigity Gigity Gooooooooooooooo!