The Average American

[darkjedi]

I do not say that every high IQ people always go dealing with weird stuffs; I just say that they tend to do so more than people with normal IQ.

[Spanks]

Shall we ask McCain who Germany's president is, and use his answer to judge the educated average Americans' intelligence? After all he's an educated politician lol

I love how he tried convince people to vote for him because he was in a POW camp for 5 years. Yer, cause being a POW for 5 years does a lot for your emotional and mental stability.

[fohfoh]

I do not say that every high IQ people always go dealing with weird stuffs; I just say that they tend to do so more than people with normal IQ.

And I'm saying you're saying stupid things. Just because you used the term "tend to" doesn't mean I don't see how you tried to link it into the 37% in the IQ area, intelligent or stupid convo post from before.

Smart or stupid, you probably can get people to like movies. If they like the same ones, they can talk. But a guy vs girl, one might like action and one might like chick flicks.

I'm saying there's more discrepancy within the IQ range than there is across it. You're just being an idiot and trying to latch onto a statistic and a "huhu american stupid people" chant.

[shabutie]

Shall we ask McCain who Germany's president is, and use his answer to judge the educated average Americans' intelligence? After all he's an educated politician lol

I love how he tried convince people to vote for him because he was in a POW camp for 5 years. Yer, cause being a POW for 5 years does a lot for your emotional and mental stability.

Yup, you also learn great leadership / governing skills there (I hear at least) ^.^


EDIT: (Directed to fohfoh) I've learned a while ago to simply ignore whatever Darkjedi says... as most of his thoughts and opinions are derived from ignorance.

[darkjedi]

And I'm saying you're saying stupid things. Just because you used the term "tend to" doesn't mean I don't see how you tried to link it into the 37% in the IQ area, intelligent or stupid convo post from before.

Or maybe you are interpreting my words wrongly.

This is a forgone conclusion. People with high IQ does tend to move onto more difficult interests; for example, if we say 40% of people with normal intelligence holds an inherent interest in Einstein's theories, a higher percentage among the higher IQ people starts to hold an inherent interest in Einstein's theories also. There are two reasons for this; one, high-IQ people simply has more intellectual capacity to accommodate such a difficult subject like quantum mechanics. I'm not saying normal-IQ people are not smart enough to understand it, but high-IQ people inherently are more capable. Two, high-IQ people usually end up with higher quality of living and standard of life. They tend to be more successful than their more normal brethren in life, but not always. And they always aim higher (usually beyond the necessary) using their greater amount of resources because that is inherently programmed into our survival instinct.

Smart or stupid, you probably can get people to like movies.

Yes, I know they can. I know both highly intelligent and highly stupid people are capable of holding the same interest as normal people. I'm just saying it tends to be more difficult than relating with people with the 'status quo' intelligence. I do not say that it's impossible.

I'm saying there's more discrepancy within the IQ range than there is across it. You're just being an idiot and trying to latch onto a statistic and a "huhu american stupid people" chant.

And maybe you already think I don't know the obvious things you are pointing out to me? Do you think I think Americans are stupid just for not knowing the answers to the questions in the video? Tbh, I voted 'no' in the poll.

[fohfoh]

Shall we ask McCain who Germany's president is, and use his answer to judge the educated average Americans' intelligence? After all he's an educated politician lol

I love how he tried convince people to vote for him because he was in a POW camp for 5 years. Yer, cause being a POW for 5 years does a lot for your emotional and mental stability.

Yup, you also learn great leadership / governing skills there (I hear at least) ^.^


EDIT: (Directed to fohfoh) I've learned a while ago to simply ignore whatever Darkjedi says... as most of his thoughts and opinions are derived from ignorance.

He wasn't too bad a little while ago. But recently he's been on a campaign of propagandistic stupidity.

@Darkjedi:
So you're saying that Hawkings has a higher chance of survival than Shaq? "But not always".

Though this might slightly work for the average person to the idiot, it surely isn't a fact of real life. By your assumptions, a first world country is more prone to survive than a person from a third world country if they were both placed in a situation where they had no technology. Anyone want to guess the outcome of Survivor American children vs Cambodian children? And do we really need to argue IQ in either group of children?

Seriously, IQ fails in that it doesn't always test "useful" knowledge. Hooray for me, I know quantum mechanics. I get shipwrecked... wtf am I going to quantum mechanify to survive? The "stupid" fisherman is going to laugh at me, and the "idiot" jock is going to run off with sticks and beat something to death to eat. (Hopefully not the "Smart" theorist)

[darkjedi]

@Darkjedi:
So you're saying that Hawkings has a higher chance of survival than Shaq? "But not always".

Indeed, not always.

For example, greater intellectual capability does help people get better jobs if they use their intelligence properly, which gives them more money which is a crucial part of survival in the modern world in usual circumstances. But not always, as there are other aspects to consider aside from intelligence when determining how successful the person will be in life, like physique, the society he is in, the family background and the environmental conditions of his habitat, etc. (money is useless when you are living away from civilization lol) But intelligence does help people achieve a higher quality of living significantly, you cannot dispute that, and once these people achieve higher quality of living, they tend to start to look for some other things in life that interests them other than just survival.

Though this might slightly work for the average person to the idiot, it surely isn't a fact of real life. By your assumptions, a first world country is more prone to survive than a person from a third world country if they were both placed in a situation where they had no technology.

Nope, not by my assumptions. Your are just putting words into my mouth, because I know I didn't make such assumptions. In fact I never drew comparisons between people from 1st world countries and 3rd world countries at all. Where did you get that?

Anyone want to guess the outcome of Survivor American children vs Cambodian children? And do we really need to argue IQ in either group of children?

Ok, you guess. Show me proof that the Cambodian child will definitely have higher chance at surviving than the American.

My guess is: not always.

But I think this is going way out of topic now.

Seriously, IQ fails in that it doesn't always test "useful" knowledge. Hooray for me, I know quantum mechanics. I get shipwrecked... wtf am I going to quantum mechanify to survive? The "stupid" fisherman is going to laugh at me, and the "idiot" jock is going to run off with sticks and beat something to death to eat. (Hopefully not the "Smart" theorist)

Yeah, so what's your point now lol

[fohfoh]

Anyone want to guess the outcome of Survivor American children vs Cambodian children? And do we really need to argue IQ in either group of children?

Ok, you guess. Show me proof that the Cambodian child will definitely have higher chance at surviving than the American.

My guess is: not always.

But I think this is going way out of topic now.

When you explain to me why talking about American Children is offtopic in an "average american" thread is offtopic, then I'll talk again.

[darkjedi]

It took you 20 minutes just to type that? >_>

It's not off-topic yet. But it's going to be if we continue. That's my opinion.

[fohfoh]

It took you 20 minutes just to type that? >_>

It's not off-topic yet. But it's going to be if we continue. That's my opinion.

And you assume I religiously watch this thread why?

The average American probably has the same IQ as the average person in another country. However the type of information an American knows probably differs greatly from many other countries due to the lifestyle there.

Unlike Asian countries who are very aware of each other due to trade/foreign exchange and even politics, the USA doesn't really care. Why care about foreign exchange when people perceive your money as the standard? Focus on how much you get/profits instead. Politics. Why care about something you cannot see that doesn't really affect you? Desensitization of this allows for people to make stupid comments about armies and navies without knowing how the real world works. (Which fuels the fire about the American world policing comments)

It's not that the Americans are stupid, but more along the lines that Americans are led into learning all types of information that are inherently useless. (Thank the media for that one)

Which is why I would believe American children would be less likely to survive than Cambodian children. In comparison of similar levels, the media would "teach" these children less useless information and skills and less likely to fall on nothing. Not to mention I would assume that Cambodian children are more adept to modifying the knowledge they know. It's easy to look for a shovel or hand when needing to dig. But what if none were available? 

But... in the words of DarkJedi... "But not always". (Even if it is the minority)

[darkjedi]

And you assume I religiously watch this thread why?

I was pretty sure you had something else more substantial to say, but you decided against it at one point and typed something else instead.

Dunno, my intuition just tells me that if we continue arguing like this someone might lock this thread for being retarded lol

Unlike Asian countries who are very aware of each other due to trade/foreign exchange and even politics,

Wahaha. Don't talk about things you don't know. Do you really think average Asians care to learn about trades and foreign affairs and international or even regional politics when they are struggling just to survive? Do you really think Chinese people know any better than Americans in subjects you listed? In coutries like Singapore and South Korea and Japan, maybe yes, because education is their culture. But culture in Asia are not universal.

the USA doesn't really care. Why care about foreign exchange when people perceive your money as the standard? Focus on how much you get/profits instead. Politics. Why care about something you cannot see that doesn't really affect you? Desensitization of this allows for people to make stupid comments about armies and navies without knowing how the real world works. (Which fuels the fire about the American world policing comments)

It's not that the Americans are stupid, but more along the lines that Americans are led into learning all types of information that are inherently useless. (Thank the media for that one)

And you assume some other people in Asia are necessarily smarter more knowledgeable than Americans, do you? What proof do you have?

Which is why I would believe American children would be less likely to survive than Cambodian children. In comparison of similar levels, the media would "teach" these children less useless information and skills and less likely to fall on nothing. Not to mention I would assume that Cambodian children are more adept to modifying the knowledge they know. It's easy to look for a shovel or hand when needing to dig. But what if none were available?

Hmph. What if the American and the Cambodian were left to live alone in a modernized city? Who is more street smart? Who is more likely to survive in an urban environment? Do you think the only environment in which a person's ability to live can be compromised is, for example, high up in the mountains or fucking middle of nowhere in a forest or something?

Again, it depends on the environment that the children are placed in, and what kind of society they are integrated into. You cannot always say that Cambodian children will have better chance at survival than American children merely because Cambodian children know more about politics know more about fishing and farming, for example.

So I'm right in saying that Cambodians are not always better than Americans in surviving. It depends a lot on the circumstances.

[fohfoh]

Uhh, sure they do. I traveled to Singapore approx 4 years ago. Unprovoked, I probably would guess about once every three days, a topic of politics came up in discussion. (There's a highway which dividers can be moved to the side and roads cleared so that it can be used as a landing strip for fighter jets... etc.)

Taiwan, this May. Lots of mention of competition with Japan, Mainland China, Hong Kong and even Korea. Discussions ranged from Pearls, electronics, tea to food. Taiwanese also love to learn about Western culture but also delve into other Asian cultures as well.

Hong Kong. Many people are quick to begin chatting about other countries to visit. Discussions about Mainland China are frequent as well. Usually it's about the Chinese government attempting to control the Hong Kong government which is a "special state." Oh, should I also mention that my senile grandma talks about world issues in detail? (Not that I really care)

Japan, last year... well, most should know how it works. No need to add. (And since you've confirmed this one as well)

Most of these countries will know of at least 1 or more countries for the following reasons. Economics or politics.


Malaysia and Singapore are at odds with each other. Most of their military power is facing against each other in case of altercations.

China. A bit more closed off, but they're closed off from even their own information at times. I can't say whether Mainland Chinese knows a lot or a little about politics or trade. However, my friends who go on exchange programs say that they like to discuss stuff about other countries, love to show off "borrowed culture" like anime, western songs etc. But since I myself have never been in those places but instead the more "touristy" areas... I personally don't know.

North Korea and South Korea. Need I say more?

Japan. A little more closed off, but one usually does not deny the average Japanese knows a slight bit more about politics or relations with other countries than the Average American. (They might be against other cultures going in, but they know what they don't want in)

Hong Kong. EVERYONE knows in this area. It's because they were under British rule. Not to mention, Hong Kong is considered the world's city or something like that.

Taiwan. Linked greatly with Hong Kong. Trade doesn't hurt either. But I don't think most people know about that. Instead I recall reading an article about Taiwanese actors being in other countries (like China) and having an interview about how they learned a totally different culture from one area of China to another.

Macau. Many people know for the same reason as Hong Kong. (Though under I think Portugal). Not to mention Hong Kong loves to go to Macau for a cheap and fun trip.

Philippines. EVERYONE knows in this area. Their culture is so influenced by Americans. They know it. They love looking up things about America.

Now, I can't speak for Korea or Thailand since I have never been there myself and if you have any other Asian country you want to list. Go for it. But pulling one or two names out of all the countries means nothing.


And back on the kid issue.

I know you're just going to argue to "not always" card anyways. So fuck you, sit down and listen for a moment before everything goes out the other ear.

As my examples were stating. Media is the big driver of what children know. School as well... but not as much.

Media. Most of us who grew up with North American media will concur that media nowadays is much more fucked up than it was a decade ago. No matter how silly, it wasn't really retarded. No matter how crazy, it didn't look like an acid trip. I have no doubt in my mind that Hannah Montana, Dave the Barbarian and Spongebob are teaching our children to be great. Dora might be a good example... but I don't know. Bob the Builder might be likeable though.

But seriously. Spongebob is an acid trip into the realm of mental stupidity. The only cartoon I can think of that I saw when young that was just as "holy shit that's crazy", was the Magic School bus. And that shit was educational.

We had to rename Sesame Street to Sesame Park. Because playing on streets is a bad idea. WTF?

My generation went from the "lets play with lego/k'nex"/read or be imaginative to the generation where even 4 year old children play video games. Not to mention they know more about how to spend money than to make it. Fuck, I had to save up allowance for a month just to come close to buying things I wanted.

True, situations may arise where North American kids may "survive better" than their "equal counterpart" in Asia. But let's talk averages. Sure, camping is a fucking useful thing to have experienced. But how much of a percent of American children can admit to haven experienced this let alone going outside for regular physical activity?

Also, make a fair comparison. Every middle class kid in America has an advantage to slum kids in Asia. I'm talking Ghetto vs Ghetto, Middle class to middle class and High class to high class. 

[darkjedi]

Kinda heavy and I dunno how exactly to connect them >_> but anyway,


I already believe that Singaporean, Korean, and Japanese people know more about politics/economy/etc than Americans on average.

Indians and Pakistani have a lot of racial/religious/regional political issues going on between them, and military is one of their topics of interest; I haven't been there personally but I have an extremely educated Indian friend who I knew for 9 years in Korea who tells me many things about India and Pakistan and the rest of the world. He remarks that the main problem with promulgation of information in India and Pakistan is that they have just too many people to teach. Not many Indians were as lucky as he is to have been well educated even though there are million of Indians who are as intelligent and capable as he is. And Bangladesh is already out of the group.

So we cannot say that Pakistan and India are universally politically/economically/scientifically literate.

The Philippines is just like the U.S. except that the younger generation is generally smarter than the older generation. I believe the U.S. runs vice versa - U.S. children experienced a slowly declining quality of instruction over the past few years as Americans began to become more pessimistic about education, while Philippines' has been steadily improving. But it still isn't enough to compete with their more highly knowledgeable Asian brethren in anything other than English literature. And that's exclusive to the younger generation.

I also think it's not too far-fetched to think that at least a few million Americans among 300 million is capable of intellectual discourse in matters of politics, economy, science, etc.

Also, make a fair comparison. Every middle class kid in America has an advantage to slum kids in Asia. I'm talking Ghetto vs Ghetto, Middle class to middle class and High class to high class.

Ok, so how exactly is it that middle class Asian is necessarily more likely to survive in a fucked up situation than an American?


I assure you 50% of Korean girls don't know how to cook.

[fohfoh]

But most Asian middle class have at least seen and know how to deal with basic food. Many Americans stare at a package of KD and think, "Holy shit that's complicated." But beyond food. Hygiene should be another one. How many Americans just leave plates lying around till "someone else deals with it"?

Navigation. School buses/driven by car vs Asians who actually use the transit system?

I'm also more inclined to believe that Asians have seen more levels of their food than Americans. Even if they don't like it... Asians know that tripe, liver and those are consumed regularly. Fishes with heads, sides of animals before they are cut up for sale etc. North America many times freaks out when there's a head on a fish, doesn't like eating fish because of bones, God forbid a whole dead pig being seen by the general public before it's cut into parts and neatly packaged and "FUCK YOU ASSHOLE" if you serve the innards of an animal.

[darkjedi]

You really do have small faith in your own North American brethren, don't you. ._.

But really, what's the problem? The world's gonna fine no matter how much on average Americans grow stupider by the day. There's bound to be some Americans who learn properly still, and that's what counts.

But most Asian middle class have at least seen and know how to deal with basic food. Many Americans stare at a package of KD and think, "Holy shit that's complicated." But beyond food. Hygiene should be another one. How many Americans just leave plates lying around till "someone else deals with it"?

Koreans generally have poor hygiene. And they do leave their plates however they want, yes, and they leave their dish-washing job until much later. And they share spoons and plates. DURING THE MEAL. Christ X_X

Navigation. School buses/driven by car vs Asians who actually use the transit system?

Yeah, I give you that, Koreans at least are much better at navigating in urban areas. But that's mostly because the government made it easily, lol. I don't know how they'll be better at navigating in an American city, for example.

[fohfoh]

But how many more Koreans actually know how to wash. How many Americans have never known or ever done the dishes in their entire life.

I was taught at a young age, "You have a dishwasher. It's called a hand. Guess what, you have two."

[darkjedi]

I never did dishes before lol xDD that's mom's job.

Now I have to because mom's not here.  :'(

[kurandoinu]

I used to know a few people in the UK that would have fit in that video beautifully.

"What's a mongoose?"
"I thought it was a type of goose."
"Isn't it like a unicorn?"

"Why don't we fall off the Earth?"

"Please staple this to that solid metal object"

"I thought the Earth was flat!"

I also get given funny looks if I use the most mundane larger word. : /

[furuoshiki]

Get some Lager in my system and I know everything there is to know about the Universe.