Thursday, November 21, 2013

American Intellectual Elites Cannot Identify Canadian Capital

So, we have all heard plenty of stories over the years revealing the extend of the ignorance that far too many Americans have about other nations and places.

But usually, you do not hear about it from those who supposedly rank among the most educated among Americans, right?

Well, here's a piece that will change that. This one has someone questioning Harvard students whether or not they know what the capital of Canada, a neighboring nation perhaps a four or five hour drive away from the Boston area.

The answer, of course, is Ottawa. Ottawa itself is not too far from the Boston area - maybe a six or seven or so hour drive, if that.

Yet, these students of the most prestigious institution of higher education in the United States, cannot answer. They do not know.

Some guess, but they clearly have no idea.

I am sure that a good amount, probably even a majority (I hope this faith is not completely off base) of Harvard students know this. But that so many of them do not is not only pathetic, but a sign of our times - as well as of our country.

With such a level of ignorance about our neighbors, and the nation that is, in many respects, most similar to us, it makes you wonder why Americans are still so often perplexed that many people across the globe do not hold them in the highest regard.

Below is the link to the article and video:

"What's the capital of Canada? Watch Harvard students struggle to answer" by Dylan Stableford of Yahoo News November 20, 2013:Elite

http://news.yahoo.com/whats-the-capital-of-canada-harvard-video-140610532.html

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