Why do the American people know so little about the world? Is it really like living in the Matrix?

Question

This is usually the remark of people of European origins and who have lived in the US. I see that Americans got angry with this question. If I were them, i would really wonder why there is a perception like this, rather than trying to censure this point of view. Believe me, it really what millions and millions of non-American people think of US. sorry guys :(

Answer 1

You are absolutely correct for the majority of Americans.

I am a liberal and I sometimes get depressed at the lack of culture or even desire to know other cultures that my fellow Americans have.

They don't know anything about the rest of the world and sadly, they don't care to know. They suffer from extreme arrogance that the USA is the greatest country on earth and that everybody else wants to live here.

They ignore cases like the Cuban man who came here to get his kid a few years ago after the mother died. That made such big headlines that our government offerred him money and citizenship, etc... He said NO. He said that he loved his country that that he wanted his son to be raised with the same values.

We don't seem to respect the fact that other countries can be different than us but their ppl can love them just as much.

Answer 2

They know so little about the world because of their historical economic, political and military successes. In Europe, for example, it is common for people to know three languages. In the U.S. it is rare for a birthright citizen to know two languages. This is because of the geographic and economic circumstances that make American life relatively comfy and hegemonic. But we shouldn't pretend that Americans are really so dumb and the rest of the world so smart. Of the 50 most reputable universities in the world, perhaps 40 of them are American. That does not really square with the notion that Americans are really so much dumber that people elsewhere in the world. Also, Amerian adults support the death penalty at about 64% right now, and in many EU countries the d.p. support among adults is about 50%. This also does not support the idea that Americans are so much dumber (just a little dumber??). By the way, I am an American. I live near New York City.

Answer 3

I'm not so sure about the generalization, but I know some people in the US who would think that the Middle East is some undeveloped desertland and that terrorists are everywhere. Most probably, these are people who have not travelled anywhere farther than the nearest walmart or target. Or blame the media like Fox and CNN who only feed them with the bad news or things that they want to present other than the real situation and stories. And blame their leaders for creating feelings of paranoia.

Answer 4

America is a big country. While many Americas see no need to bother themselves with events thousands of miles away, which have little or no effect on their lives, there are many other Americans who are more knowledgeable than you give them credit.

Americans are a mixture of nationalities. 10% of the Americans were born outside of the USA and became naturalized citizens. 12% of Mexico lives in the USA as illegal aliens. And there is a 20% chance that your children will want to be Americans too.

Answer 5

I disagree with the first question, but as for the second. Life could very well be considered as living in a matrix. Speaking on how we can never see beyond what our minds tell us. Reality is transmitted to us by electrical signals interpretted by our brain, as morpheous said. So really that's all that reality is to us. Electrical signals. We'll never know objective reality because we'll never be from a universal standpoint. There have been those deep in meditation who have reached a point called samadhi or enlightenment who say that saw the universe and experienced, not sensed, it as a collective whole. That it saturated their existance and that they felt wiser in knowing the nature of all things. I've never experienced that but it sounds intriguing for it to be able be thought of that one could escape their own perspective.

Answer 6

The information is there. It is just that Americans aren't particularly interested.

The number of news sources available today via cable and satelite are more than enough to double-check what the major US media are saying. With the exception of too much coverage of things like Kerr coming back to the US, it is all there and pretty consistent.

I think it really annoys Europeans that Americans just don't care about what happens in Europe.

Answer 7

Mostly Americans are very insular people with no real interest in the world other than their own country. Often appalingly ignorant about geography or other peoples habits and traits it is a sad entitement ona people who put a man on the moon but are unable to tolerante or understand their neighbors.Why this should be is beyond me, but from experience of living in most european countries and NOT a stranger to their land, Americans are generally regarded like small naive children who are very simplistic yet incredibly aggresive and arrogant. Still they are only a 200 year old nation still learning and if education were to be improved may one day grow up to be a positive influence around the world and not as they are presently regarded by most peoples.

Answer 8

This is nonsense. Is there sound empirical data that proves that the average American knows less about, let's say, Indonesia than for example the average Italian? I don't believe it. Why do Europeans know so little about Arkansas? Why do Mexicans know so little about Mongolia? You can't know everything. Don't blame Americans for not knowing the capitol of Slovenia. I (European) don't know what the capitol of South Dakota is. I would have to look it up. So look at your self first

Answer 9

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Answer 10

Why do you think Americans dont know whats going on in the world maybe its we dont care..we live here and not there..your problem is you think your smarter than any one else..your a liberal and you believe your know more than any one else and you dont.europeans arent as smart as you think they are for I am first hand knowledge I am a european..italian of american desent.that means I was born in Italy..I have a large family back in Italy and trust me..they arent any more smarter than any one else..you need to grow up a little more in life ..maybe a few weeks in a south american country living in **** hole for a while will smartin you up..