# Fucking braindead historically vacuous Americans!!!!!! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 16, 2002, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-braindead-historically-vacuous-americans/114392 "2002-06-16T19:20:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Mr.Miskatonic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.miskatonic/32/310_2.png) [@Mr.Miskatonic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Miskatonic)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2002, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-braindead-historically-vacuous-americans/114392/41 "2002-06-17T23:46:33Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Kallessa \* > **Years ago, when I was still a high school history teacher, I went to a wonderful seminar on a _Connections_ style of teaching history. _Connections_ was a great TV show that started with something like nylons and traced a connection all the way back to a Greek philospher or Dutch tulips (I seem to remember tulips showing up somehow in every episode, but that might just be me** Not tulips, Coal Tar. James Burke’s favorite goop of all time. It did everything and was the lynchpin of all modern society. ---
**Author:** ![runforrestrun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a3d4f5/32.png) [@runforrestrun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/runforrestrun)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2002, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-braindead-historically-vacuous-americans/114392/42 "2002-06-18T05:32:51Z")
Hey Dragonblink, I recall the American Pageant quite well. It was a very thorough analysis of each period of time (including 1810-1850, when I was bored out of my mind with all the bastardly compromises of Henry Clay). Once you sift through the highly sophisticated language, it’s a decent reading. Sadly, we had to rush through a thousand pages in 8 months to prep for the AP test (which I could rant about right now, but it’s too good a thread to hijack) and I never got to read in depth about anything past Nixon. However, I do know what Watergate is. This too reminded me of Jaywalking. At least we can sort out the ignorance from the straight dope. We can’t be accountable for the idiocy of society, though we try. But I digress… History fascinates me, so I payed attention even with dumbfuck teachers. I’m amazed that no one I talk to can name one other Khan besides Ghengis, or even tell me the pretense of Orwell’s 1984. I just have to shake my head and talk to you enlightened people. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2002, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-braindead-historically-vacuous-americans/114392/43 "2002-06-18T05:41:32Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by runforrestrun \* > \*\*I’m amazed that no one I talk to can name one other Khan besides Ghengis, \*\* Let’s see…there was Kublai Khan, Madeline Khan, James Khan, KHAAAAAAANNNN, Necronomikhan, the Rubikhan… What? 😃 jayjay ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2002, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-braindead-historically-vacuous-americans/114392/44 "2002-06-18T06:12:38Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by WSLer \* > **So, I happen to cruise by CNN and Wolf Blitzer utters the magical word “Watergate,” so I stop and see what the deal is. Turns out in a new poll of Americans 18-54 37% have little or no idea what Watergate was or it’s historical importance** Not 37% of Americans, but 37% of the braindead dweebs they managed to get to answer them. Polls are useless, at best. ---
**Author:** ![Kallessa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/7993a0/32.png) [@Kallessa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kallessa)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2002, 6:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-braindead-historically-vacuous-americans/114392/45 "2002-06-18T06:31:16Z")
Aga Khan, Jagatai Khan, Chaka Khan, Ogotai Khan, Sammy Khan, Jenghiz Khan, and, for no reason whatsoever, Kukla, Fran and Ollie. Khan we stop the now? ---
**Author:** ![Sofa\_King](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/58956e/32.png) [@Sofa\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sofa_King)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2002, 8:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-braindead-historically-vacuous-americans/114392/46 "2002-06-18T08:26:08Z")
Don’t forget the all-unimportant Shaka Khan. I think she briefly ruled the airwaves. ---
**Author:** ![Jabba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b5e925/32.png) [@Jabba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jabba)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2002, 10:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-braindead-historically-vacuous-americans/114392/47 "2002-06-18T10:56:19Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Kallessa \* > \*\*Aga Khan, Jagatai Khan, Chaka Khan, Ogotai Khan, Sammy Khan, Jenghiz Khan, and, for no reason whatsoever, Kukla, Fran and Ollie. Khan we stop the now? \*\* Rothoff? ---
**Author:** ![UncleBeer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/977dab/32.png) [@UncleBeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBeer)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2002, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-braindead-historically-vacuous-americans/114392/48 "2002-06-18T12:14:42Z")
> [@](#): > > got my bachelors in history, so I can say with all certainty that I KNOW history. Not all of it, but a good bit of it. How the **hell** do you _quantify_ something like history? Your boast, to me, says you believe you know the _majority_ of it **and** that it is indeed possible to know "all of it,’ never mind it’s unquantifiable. Seems to me that someone genuinely learned in history would have more sense than to make such an absurd claim. Unless, of course, you happen to be Michael Bellesiles. ---
**Author:** ![pldennison](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9fc29f/32.png) [@pldennison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pldennison)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2002, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-braindead-historically-vacuous-americans/114392/49 "2002-06-18T13:53:30Z")
About those “Jay Leno man-on-the-street” interviews: Please don’t assume that they’re indicative of anything more than good editing and the desire to put together a funny segment. If Jay Leno goes out on the street and asks a bunch of people a question, and most of them get it right, well, that isn’t quite as funny, is it? So, do you think they’re going to show you the tape of the ones who _did_ get it right? Of course not. They’re going to show you the tape of the ones who got it wrong and/or said something funny. There’s also selection bias involved. If I’m traipsing down Hollywood Blvd., and Jay Leno sticks a mic in my face and asks me a question, I can either: A) Answer the question correctly if I know the answer, or B) Say something funny and try to get on TV. A lot of people are going to choose B. ---
**Author:** ![Hoopy\_Frood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hoopy_frood/32/8452_2.png) [@Hoopy\_Frood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hoopy_Frood)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2002, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-braindead-historically-vacuous-americans/114392/50 "2002-06-18T14:17:26Z")
How about Shao Khan. “Shao Khan wins. Flawless victory.” (I wonder if more kids know who he is than they know of Genghis.) ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2002, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-braindead-historically-vacuous-americans/114392/51 "2002-06-18T14:41:46Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Mr. Miskatonic \* > Coal Tar. James Burke’s favorite goop of all time. > > It did everything and was the lynchpin of all modern society. You’re soaking in it now! ---
**Author:** ![erislover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/71e660/32.png) [@erislover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/erislover)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2002, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-braindead-historically-vacuous-americans/114392/52 "2002-06-18T17:15:53Z")
Wow, people who like history are mad that not everyone knows history. My friend the English teacher has the same bias. I am a huge fan of philosophy so that’s my set of spectacles. People can’t learn everything in high school. Ever. There are typically six hours of instruction per day in which to squeeze the following topics: mathematics, English, history, science, government, and phys ed. Break math down into geometry and algebras; break history down to world history and American history; break English down into god knows what for four years (I don’t like English classes, ftr); break government down into (at leat at my school) federal and state studies, taxation, local politics; break science down into biology, chemistry, general science, physics; and phys ed can’t really be broken down into much at most schools, it just is. Now do it in four years, and place all the emphasis in the right spots that will make you happy, but not slight any of the other departments who think they are just as if not more important. Thanks. America will appreciate it. ---
**Author:** ![armedmonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@armedmonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/armedmonkey)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2002, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-braindead-historically-vacuous-americans/114392/53 "2002-06-18T17:54:49Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Revtim \* > \*\*I wanted to say “Yeah, it’s probably a lot easier to learn the geography of the world when you try and fail to take it over a few times…” but I was new to the group at the time. Now that I know the sonofabitch better, I’d love to shove that back in his face. \*\* You can still tell him! Nothing is over until YOU say it’s over. Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? Hell no! ---
**Author:** ![HerMajestyLorna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/7cd45c/32.png) [@HerMajestyLorna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HerMajestyLorna)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2002, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-braindead-historically-vacuous-americans/114392/54 "2002-06-18T18:41:08Z")
I am surprised at how so many people are saying they never got past a certain point, like WWII in US History in High School. I just finished AP US, using _Pageant_. We read every word of the book, used three other textbooks, and had lots of discussions and activities. We managed to get to modern times and finished the '70s two and a half weeks before the exam. I think we did it all very in-depth, too. Then again, my teacher was a hyperkinetic freak (albeit a great teacher) who used class time like no other teacher and who assigned loads of work. I was looking at that Gallup poll page, and I didn’t see anywhere that only 37% know about Watergate. The numbers looked much higher… ---
**Author:** ![Sofa\_King](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/58956e/32.png) [@Sofa\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sofa_King)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2002, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-braindead-historically-vacuous-americans/114392/55 "2002-06-18T19:18:04Z")
> [@](#): > > I was looking at that Gallup poll page, and I didn’t see anywhere that only 37% know about Watergate. The numbers looked much higher… According to the magical fairy that disloges statistics from my nether regions, 100% of the History majors I have surveyed chose that path because they sucked at math and statistics. ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2002, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-braindead-historically-vacuous-americans/114392/56 "2002-06-18T19:26:54Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Tranquilis \* > \*\*I attended a school that really gave a rat’s ass about history, and we had all _kinds_ of intersting excercises and apporaches that kept us in glued to the subject, everything from ‘what if’ to world-wide diplomacy (reseach a nation, and convert it’s strengths and weaknesses into “Diplomacy”-style rules, then try and take over the class. I made a small mistake late in the game, and was the last player eliminated, clobbered by my good friend, whom didn’t goof any at all). We even had a ‘sneak’ attack by another teacher during the Depression/WWII sections. Wonderful fun! > > History was _fun_. \*\* I went to a school that tried to do this - it worked well with the good teachers, it worked poorly with the bad ones. (I lucked out for the most part). We had one semester of local history, one semester of ancient history, one semester of government, a year of american history and one semester of how the world was working _today_. So we missed everything between 1950 and the very late 80s, (We backed up a year or two to get some sense of context.) there simply was not enough time. It is sad, but I would say that most of my knowledge about watergate comes from my dad’s Doonesbury cartoon collection. ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2002, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-braindead-historically-vacuous-americans/114392/57 "2002-06-18T20:08:25Z")
Old Doonesbury cartoons are a great way to learn about Watergate, if you investigate the names that are mentioned. FWIW, my highschool didn’t get past the seventies in history. Of course the eighties and nineties hadn’t been invented yet, but I’m fairly certain that flying cars were in there somewhere. And I always remember the strange stuff from my history texts, like some royal (Frederick?) getting offed by a tennis ball. My daughter’s kindergarten class has her started on the basics of American history, btw. ---
**Author:** ![Eva\_Luna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e495f1/32.png) [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2002, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-braindead-historically-vacuous-americans/114392/58 "2002-06-18T20:11:10Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Beeblebrox \* > \*\* You can still tell him! Nothing is over until YOU say it’s over. Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? Hell no! \*\* PLEASE tell me you don’t really think it was the Germans who bombed Pearl Harbor… ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2002, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-braindead-historically-vacuous-americans/114392/59 "2002-06-18T20:30:05Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Eva Luna \* > \*\* > > PLEASE tell me you don’t really think it was the Germans who bombed Pearl Harbor… \*\* Whoosh! (That was a reference to a speech in _Animal House_ by Bluto) ---
**Author:** ![gobear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@gobear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gobear)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2002, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-braindead-historically-vacuous-americans/114392/60 "2002-06-18T20:32:20Z")
> [@](#): > > According to the magical fairy that disloges statistics from my nether regions, 100% of the History majors I have surveyed chose that path because they sucked at math and statistics. I hope that’s a big whoosh. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-braindead-historically-vacuous-americans/114392.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-braindead-historically-vacuous-americans/114392.md?page=4)