-------- 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 [log in to unmask] >>> [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