I have always felt like the intelligence level of some of my classmates throughout my four years of high school has been on the low side. Sure, nobody is perfect, and not even I am an outstandingly intelligent person. However, there comes a point when I seriously sit there and stare at the brave soul who asks a dumb question and wonder, "Where have you been the past seventeen/eighteen years of your life?"
Is it really that far-fetched of an idea to think that people these days should know more than they apparently do?
Take this incident for example: Sophomore year, I'm sitting in English class (which may I add, was the easiest english class ever.) and we're talking about our debate topics, and we're on the one about the Iraq war. My teacher was going over the brief histories of countries like Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan, and this one kid who hardly pays attention at all has the gall to raise his hand and ask, "Is Pakistan in Africa?"
I was dumbfounded. Sure, I probably couldn't label all the countries in the middle east if you gave me a map, but honestly--Africa? AFRICA? And they say American kids don't need to know geography...
Another incident that was more recent was told to me by a friend who is a junior at my school. She was telling me that in her US History class, she happened to stumble upon the word "constellation" for whatever reason, and the girl in front of her turns around and goes, "Wow, you use really big words! You should be in AP US History!"
Constellation? Really?
I'm growing increasingly doubtful about this generation's ability to have a colorful vocabulary. It doesn't make sense for kids to use words they don't know meanings too, but I believe if they do know "advanced" words and their meanings, that they should try to add them to their daily vocabulary. Who knows? They might encourage the kid next to them to improve theirs too.
But until then, I suppose I'll be stuck sitting in class with kids who think Pakistan is in Africa and "constellation" is a hugetastic word.
I really enjoyed reading this blog!! I find myself feeling the same exact way in class, but for different reasons.
Don't follow me, follow my moves- Jay-Z
The worst thing you can do is underestimate someone's intelligence. at least they are asking questions although they may seem dumb.
i know that i ask many dumb questions too. but it doesn't mean i am dumb
once i met a girl from Estonia, i had no clue it was a country; so i had to ask where it was geographically and the history of the country. i was ashamed, but i gained knowledge.
i even once asked a girl from Hungary if they had any cars there. that was really dumb on my part.
I don't think it is bad to question the intelligence of kids here in America when it's becoming blatantly obvious that we're becoming more ignorant every day.
The kid who made the Pakistan comment was not someone who made educated comments from then on, or ever before.
His comment was not to be perceived as one made sincerely, as he continued to ask questions that I considered to be really off.
I've had my share of "dumb" moments, but I learn from them. A lot of kids these days never learn and repeat their ignorance. That's pretty much what I was getting at with this blog.