Are Some Americans Really This Stupid or is this a Fake Video - Page 2

mrspoppers · 12-08-2010, 11:29 AM

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Originally Posted by Josephine

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Originally Posted by redcelticcurls

I don't know about that video.

But, I do think that plenty of Americans really are that stupid.

Same here. The op did say 'some' americans, not all, and yes many are that stupid.

Now we're up to "many"?

I think there are people who have idiotic ideas. There are also many people who are dumb about certain things. (I couldn't figure out college chem for anything.) But to paint a broad brush that "many" Americans are stupid is simply ridiculous.

Eilonwy · 12-08-2010, 11:31 AM

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Josephine · 12-08-2010, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrspoppers

Quote:

Originally Posted by Josephine

Quote:

Originally Posted by redcelticcurls

I don't know about that video.

But, I do think that plenty of Americans really are that stupid.

Same here. The op did say 'some' americans, not all, and yes many are that stupid.

Now we're up to "many"?

I think there are people who have idiotic ideas. There are also many people who are dumb about certain things. (I couldn't figure out college chem for anything.) But to paint a broad brush that "many" Americans are stupid is simply ridiculous.

Maybe not in your world. Many does not equal most. You're fortunate you're not around many 'stupid' people.

Josephine · 12-08-2010, 11:35 AM

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Originally Posted by Eilonwy

BTW, it's still pretty infuriating when people assume that every single last American is exactly as bad as the worst American. I think people forget that there are 300 million Americans. Even if some study finds that 57% of Americans hold a certain opinion, there are millions upon millions of Americans who don't!

I agree. Not everyone is the same!

Eilonwy · 12-08-2010, 11:36 AM

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ninja dog · 12-08-2010, 11:37 AM

rcc, I know that we can disagree amicably, so I'll just say that we do. And I know that you work with the public, which is very challenging indeed, and probably hear all manner of moronic comments.

I respect your service to our country, and your opinion, even though I don't share it.

ninja dog · 12-08-2010, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eilonwy

I wouldn't say that people are fundamentally better in one place than in another. But there are definitely countries with lower poverty and crime rates than what the US has, and that seem to have less sexism and homophobia as well (although they may make up for it in xenophobia). And people risk their lives every day to get to Canada and Sweden and China and so on. Illegal immigration is usually more about perceived job opportunities than it is about rights, I'm pretty sure. People follow the money to wealthier countries.

I see your point, E. I don't wholly agree, but I understand your reasoning.

Josephine · 12-08-2010, 11:42 AM

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Originally Posted by ninja dog

Honestly! I get so tired of being targeted by residents of other countries as somehow needing to be accountable to them for everything our country does......I don't deny there are flawed policies, heinous actions, and atrocities, but honestly, where is it better? Where are the people truly, fundamentally better? Where is there no corruption, no dishonesty, no poverty, and equality all around? And if we're all so dumb, why do people continue to risk their lives every damned day to get here?

I agree.

Josephine · 12-08-2010, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eilonwy

Quote:

Originally Posted by Josephine

Many does not equal most.

I've found that the definition of "many" is something that varies among people.

There are, as I've mentioned, a lot of Americans. So I personally think it's fair and accurate to say that many Americans are stupid. But to a lot of people, "many" does more or less mean "most."

LOL, thanks for breaking it down! I did not know people thought many = most.

mrspoppers · 12-08-2010, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Josephine

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrspoppers

Quote:

Originally Posted by Josephine

Same here. The op did say 'some' americans, not all, and yes many are that stupid.

Now we're up to "many"?

I think there are people who have idiotic ideas. There are also many people who are dumb about certain things. (I couldn't figure out college chem for anything.) But to paint a broad brush that "many" Americans are stupid is simply ridiculous.

Maybe not in your world. Many does not equal most. You're fortunate you're not around many 'stupid' people.

No, I would say I am fortunate that I learned at a young age to accept people for what they are and not call them "stupid" when there could be other issues going on. Poverty, homelessness, language barriers and cultural differences all contribute to what elitists call stupidity. Yes, elitists.

mrspoppers · 12-08-2010, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Josephine

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eilonwy

Quote:

Originally Posted by Josephine

Many does not equal most.

I've found that the definition of "many" is something that varies among people.

There are, as I've mentioned, a lot of Americans. So I personally think it's fair and accurate to say that many Americans are stupid. But to a lot of people, "many" does more or less mean "most."

LOL, thanks for breaking it down! I did not know people thought many = most.

Most and many are synonyms. Most is also used in the definition for many.

Josephine · 12-08-2010, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrspoppers

Quote:

Originally Posted by Josephine

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrspoppers

Now we're up to "many"?

I think there are people who have idiotic ideas. There are also many people who are dumb about certain things. (I couldn't figure out college chem for anything.) But to paint a broad brush that "many" Americans are stupid is simply ridiculous.

Maybe not in your world. Many does not equal most. You're fortunate you're not around many 'stupid' people.

No, I would say I am fortunate that I learned at a young age to accept people for what they are and not call them "stupid" when there could be other issues going on. Poverty, homelessness, language barriers and cultural differences all contribute to what elitists call stupidity. Yes, elitists.

I agree with you that there is a lot of ignorance and I don't blame people for that and not elitist about it at all (I grew up around many people like that including my own family and myself included). But there are many that even after given the information and best living conditions/opportunities are just dumb.

Josephine · 12-08-2010, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrspoppers

Quote:

Originally Posted by Josephine

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eilonwy

I've found that the definition of "many" is something that varies among people.

There are, as I've mentioned, a lot of Americans. So I personally think it's fair and accurate to say that many Americans are stupid. But to a lot of people, "many" does more or less mean "most."

LOL, thanks for breaking it down! I did not know people thought many = most.

Most and many are synonyms. Most is also used in the definition for many.

I could be wrong but I find that hard to believe. I thought most is a comparitive word and many is just numbers?

nynaeve77 · 12-08-2010, 12:10 PM

Everybody is stupid about at least one thing. I think some people try to educate themselves about life outside of their experience and some truly believe ignorance is bliss. I'd say people like this exist everywhere and aren't just found in the U.S.

redcelticcurls · 12-08-2010, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Josephine

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrspoppers

Quote:

Originally Posted by Josephine

Maybe not in your world. Many does not equal most. You're fortunate you're not around many 'stupid' people.

No, I would say I am fortunate that I learned at a young age to accept people for what they are and not call them "stupid" when there could be other issues going on. Poverty, homelessness, language barriers and cultural differences all contribute to what elitists call stupidity. Yes, elitists.

I agree with you that there is a lot of ignorance and I don't blame people for that and not elitist about it at all (I grew up around many people like that including my own family and myself included). But there are many that even after given the information and best living conditions/opportunities are just dumb.

This seems to be a big factor in it. I think that there is a certain amount of willful ignorance or a who-gives-a-***t attitude in the US. Knowledge about how other countries work can be dismissed as only for the elitists, because, you know, this is America, and we're the best, so who needs to know about other countries, or even where to find them on the map.

Learning about other religions or cultures gets dismissed as catering to a PC agenda.

Mentally calculating a 15% tip in one's head gets blown off because we can just whip out the calculator on the cell phone.

Jaywalking is funny, but it is still depressing that he doesn't have to go far to find such silly answers, if they aren't being faked.

redcelticcurls · 12-08-2010, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Josephine

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrspoppers

Quote:

Originally Posted by Josephine

LOL, thanks for breaking it down! I did not know people thought many = most.

Most and many are synonyms. Most is also used in the definition for many.

I could be wrong but I find that hard to believe. I thought most is a comparitive word and many is just numbers?

That's how I thought it was as well.

Cheetara · 12-08-2010, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Josephine

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrspoppers

Quote:

Originally Posted by Josephine

LOL, thanks for breaking it down! I did not know people thought many = most.

Most and many are synonyms. Most is also used in the definition for many.

I could be wrong but I find that hard to believe. I thought most is a comparitive word and many is just numbers?

You can't use them interchangeably so I'd say they are not synonyms.

I have many oranges.
I have most oranges.

That doesn't mean the same thing.

wild~hair · 12-08-2010, 12:31 PM

I believe E is referring to how people use and understand the word, not how the word is strictly defined. That's her thang.

mrspoppers · 12-08-2010, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Josephine

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrspoppers

Quote:

Originally Posted by Josephine

LOL, thanks for breaking it down! I did not know people thought many = most.

Most and many are synonyms. Most is also used in the definition for many.

I could be wrong but I find that hard to believe. I thought most is a comparitive word and many is just numbers?

Quote:

Originally Posted by redcelticcurls

Quote:

Originally Posted by Josephine

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrspoppers

Most and many are synonyms. Most is also used in the definition for many.

I could be wrong but I find that hard to believe. I thought most is a comparitive word and many is just numbers?

That's how I thought it was as well.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cheetara

Quote:

Originally Posted by Josephine

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrspoppers

Most and many are synonyms. Most is also used in the definition for many.

I could be wrong but I find that hard to believe. I thought most is a comparitive word and many is just numbers?

You can't use them interchangeably so I'd say they are not synonyms.

I have many oranges.
I have most oranges.

That doesn't mean the same thing.

Oh, for Pete's sake. From Dictionary.com:

Quote:

man·y
[men-ee]adjective, more, most

And this is a good illustration of exactly why saying Americans are "stupid" is just plain ridiculous. None of us are stupid and I daresay we're not ignorant, as far as I can tell. We all have different perspectives of what many, most and some mean. We also have knowledge of different things. That's what makes the world go round.

Eilonwy · 12-08-2010, 12:52 PM

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