Everyone, everywhere is terrible at geography.
Comment on How are there people who don't know Alaska and Hawaii are states?
remon@ani.social 3 weeks ago
Americans being terrible at geography is a meme for a reason …
glimse@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
It really isn’t lol
It’s almost always making fun of Americans’ ignorance to European geography. But I’ll bet the average European wouldn’t fare much better trying to map out the US - which is roughly the size of the entirety of Europe.
Turns out locations on the other side of the world just isn’t that important for most people to memorize…
neidu3@sh.itjust.works 3 weeks ago
Sorry to burst your bubble, but the “murica big” argument isn’t an excuse outside of identifying states vs european countries, and even then it’s dubious at best.
Ask an average subsection of Europeans and Americans, and Europeans will simply be better at picking countries on a map. This has been tested multiple times.
glimse@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
Sorry to burst your bubble, but those studies don’t disprove my point and the biggest reported difference (15%) isn’t all that significant considering proximity. Your neighbors accounts for like 1/4 the test.
You’re familiar with European, Asian, and even African countries through casual exposure if nothing else. On maps and in the news, your neighboring countries are very relevant to your life. The US has two. Only the big news gets here from over the ocean because it’s irrelevant to daily life.
But now imagine that all 50 states are separate countries. Would the US really be so far behind? Would the average European be 15% better at pointing out Nebraska than Joe Schmoe in Alabama? I really doubt it but I’d be a fool to hold it against them.
So yeah, I’d be equally shocked if you briefly showed me a picture of your cupboard then beat me in a contest at naming the contents. That does indeed make you better at naming your cupboard contents.
I do appreciate you not pointing out a mistake in my last comment - I meant the US is about the size of the EU, not Europe as a continent.
isyasad@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
I took a college class once about early childhood development. We were looking at a map of countries colored based on how much paid maternal leave is required to be provided. There were only two countries on the map with 0 required.
Person sitting on my right: I should really know the name of that other country [looking at Papua New Guinea]
Me: Yeah I don’t remember right now but I knew it was just the US and one other country. I really should know the name I just forgot it right now…
Person sitting on my left: Yeah I’ve never seen it before… Is it part of Canada or something?
Me: … That one?
Left: Yeah
Me: That’s Alaska
Left: Haha. Wait really? Are you sure?
Me: 🤨
True story that took place at a USA university