LtDan6d ago

Are Europeans more well versed with world geography than Americans?

https://lemmy.zip/post/61380209

Are Europeans more well versed with world geography than Americans? - Lemmy.zip

I’ve seen multiple videos equivalent of Americans pointing where (country) is on the map, and there was an instance where the host asked the woman where the continent Africa is located (points to Asia) like WTF? That’s not even close at all. I know there’s bias towards those types of videos since there are accusations of the host “handpicking” select strangers framing them as if they are representative of the US. But the truth is that their education system isn’t good as it lacks funding. When you put it into perspective: how many Europeans can correctly locate & name countries adjacent to them within their own continent and globally? Is the education system within the EU that good or effective at teaching kids that subject?

Show threadKoboldCoterie6d ago
How many Europeans can point out Kansas on a map? I’d bet I could find just as many Europeans ignorant of North American geography as they find Americans ignorant of European geography, especially since, as you point out, they cherry pick the most ignorant sounding responses.
Show threadChe Banana6d ago

Kansas, a state, is not the equivalent of Africa, A continent as pointed out by OP.

OTOH, EU education varies w I d e l y and the American system is overall mediocre

Show threadKoboldCoterie6d ago
I would say Kansas as an American is roughly equivalent to a European country to a European. South America would be the equivalent of Africa, and while I agree that everyone should be able to name the continents, I’m very confident that I could find a European who could not point out South America if I cherry picked enough. I bet I’d get someone pointing to Mexico eventually.
Show threadSaveTheTuaHawk

I’m very confident that I could find a European who could not point out South America if I cherry picked enough

I’m sure you are very confident.

Rick Mercer got criticized for his “Talking to Americans” running gag on CBC for cherry picking, so he went onto the Harvard quad and got the same results from Harvard professors.

Mar 25 at 3:24pmWeb
Show threadKoboldCoterie6d ago
That was specifically a response to the point that someone thought Asia was Africa. I doubt Harvard professors are making that mistake.