-------- Original Message --------
Subject:        Re: MAPS-L: geographical illiteracy
Date:   Fri, 21 Jul 2006 09:41:43 -0700
From:   Brian Bach <[log in to unmask]>
To:     [log in to unmask]


Just a personal observation, but I think that native curiosity in
younger people can tend to be indirectly repressed as a result of overt
sensory stimulation, which comes from all angles. Sorry for the
gibberish, but in a culture which might be termed 'A.D.D.', where is the
incentive to really find out (or care) where, say, Socotra is located?
An entertaining documentary might profile an oddball insect native to
that island for perhaps three and a half minutes of screen time, but
then we're on to a commercial break for Pop Rocks, which are far more
action-packed and interesting. As far as where the UK is located, why
should that matter either, unless there's some sort of hook to validate
interest, in light of all the other stimuli to be had at any one moment?
The old warhorse term is 'dumbing down', but even persons who have no
interest in social criticism might have to acknowledge that it (e.g.
dumbing down) has been a tremendous success. Such trends might be
'culpable' in understanding the phenomenon of American geographical
illiteracy.

Have fun,

Brian

Brian P. Bach
Documents/Maps
Brooks Library
Central Washington University
400 E. University Way
Ellensburg, WA 98926-7548
USA
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>>> [log in to unmask] 07/21/06 6:39 AM >>>
-------- Original Message --------
Subject:        geographical illiteracy
Date:   Thu, 20 Jul 2006 09:37:40 +0200
From:   Brendan Whyte <[log in to unmask]>
To:     [log in to unmask]


Even the travel industry comments on American geographical illiteracy
http://www.travelindustryreview.com/news/2443


Dr Brendan Whyte
Hebrew University of Jerusalem