Are Americans too apathetic to world events?

Question

These days, you ask the average american who the secretary of state is, and they look at you like you have two heads. Not to even mention the happenings all over the world (not just Iraq) So the question is this. Are americans too apathetic towards world events, and how does their apathy measure compared to the rest of the world?

I love how people just get angry. You cant even have a civil discussion in the country anymore...

Answer 1

It seems as though Americans and many western cultures are absorbed with buying things and whatever other distractions the news and politicians use to divert attention away from what is going on in the rest of the world. Anyone living any distance from problems elsewhere are fairly apathetic. Until problems are in the faces of people, they are generally selfish. The American public seems to only pay attention to "newsworthy" sensational events and seem pacified by the rhetoric of freedom and democracy. The scariest thing about apathy is how short the collective memory of the public is, even when people care about something for a short while, they collectively forget what happened, leaving room for history to repeat itself.

Answer 2

Unfortunately Americans are becoming more and more lazy and apathetic about everything except things that don't really matter like shopping, sports, big screen high def TVs, ipods, and the latest game systems. The drive, intelligence and motivation that got the US to the top is missing and something needs to happen fast to change the path or we're all going down the drain.

It seems like other countries know more about what goes on in the world, but we aren't as aware, or care to be aware.

As for the first answer you got--denial is part of the problem... I agree that this is something that needs to be considered and debated.

Answer 3

It's because the US is on top. When you're on top you don't have to care about much because life is good. I personally like to keep up with current events around the world. BBC News has a pretty informative web site I've found for world events. Most people don't find these types of things interesting though so they don't mess with it.

Answer 4

I resent the video interest assertion. i think of we are becoming to be a rustic of tactics. lots of folk are keen to bent over and take it without doing something whilst complaining. i'm not a registered voter(specifically as a results of fact I even have not got here across all and sundry that i've got faith could make a difference) and that i will't say sorry for the Bush re-election. I point out that as a results of fact for some dumb-*** reason some fool sent and digital mail apologizing to the worldwide for Bush's 2d term. This caught on and many human beings observed adventure. i assume it somewhat is all nicely and sturdy, even inspite of the shown fact that, that factor would have been extra helpful spent protesting the vote of moving for his dismal or countless issues. i think of the priority is easy, we basically care to a factor. I admit i'm accountable of this, even inspite of the shown fact that, if i extremely and strongly care approximately something i will combat for it. in case you have faith you may and truthfully try then you definately would prevail, hmm...i assume that would desire to hold an entire yet another set of issues. DRAGON 2008 "i've got faith IN U.S."

Answer 5

I don't think Americans have a good knowledge of what goes on outside the USA. They to occupied with themselves. Funny how other nations know alot about America, but they haven't a clue about Europe, Asia, or the middle east. They have strange perceptions about other countries.

Answer 6

i like how u stereotype us as if were some new species not all of us are ignorant thank u very much