Just How Stupid Are Americans? What the data show.

In this video Rick Shenkman, author of JUST HOW STUPID ARE WE? FACING THE TRUTH ABOUT THE AMERICAN VOTER (Basic Books, 2008), discusses the statistical evidence that points to gross American ignorance about politics.

He was interviewed in June 2008 by Richard Heffner of The Open Mind.

Shenkman blogs at: http://howstupidblog.com

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• stupidity
• civics
• iraq
• war

[rickshenkman]

A lot of people watching this video have chided me for confusing stupidity with ignorance. Let me state clearly that I believe the problem is ignorance. The word stupid was used in the title of the book to draw attention.

In any case, you can't generalize and say Americans are ignorant. You can't generalize about 300 million people. What I argue in the book is that our political discussions are conducted at a low level because too few people can follow a complicated debate.

[ummabdurrahman1]

As an American, as a person who lost faith in Gov. at a young age, I don't see how the heck most people walk around without a conscious. Through the years it has been proven, the rebellious are an elite of intelligence. When you choose not to conform, is when you grow a brain. I don't believe anything not proven; you can't convince me that Osama Bin Laden is Megatron and you dumped him in the ocean. That's just a little example.

[MissJocelynne]

@jaskaram I really liked your opinion and what you had to write becuase even at a young age (18) I find that if you take time to learn about a subject on your own and without the bias party then you can see another point of view.^_^

P.s. I am a american.

[CFL0LSmilyFace]

@Wetily

No shit.

6.9 billion isn't the exact population of the planet.

[Wetily]

@CFL0LSmilyFace usa's population isn't exactly 300 million

[Wetily]

@Ycc145 agree*

[CFL0LSmilyFace]

@Wetily

So basically EVERY SINGLE AMERICAN is stupid. Right?

Damn boy you're a fucking genius. It totally makes sense because you've met and talked to every single person living there...right?

[CFL0LSmilyFace]

@AntiTroll101

I think its one of the best countries, but has one of the worst governments. I'd still die for this country, but not for the government. It has made fools of us, and I dont know why we keep letting it happen.

[Ycc145]

@rickshenkman

"In any case, you can't generalize and say Americans are ignorant."

6.7 billion disagree.

[josiahho1]

I only really liked his moment about the paper...ppl need to read newspapers and not just one. Most of the time im reading two three or more articles from different papers on the same story! But when the comforts are plentyful then the people will indulge until they cant indulge amymore. The united states is very unique. We r different n the wrld hates us for that. Thats y we keep the finger up n enjoy our lives. If americans r dumb then the rest of the wrld is retarded.

[AntiTroll101]

I am dissapointed with my country. It has so many faults, its ridiculous that some people believe that it is the best country on the planet.

[gangster3591]

A significant fraction of Americans may well be ignorant of world affairs, Mr shenkman. That does not mean 'Americans are stupid'. You do understand there is a difference between stupidity and ignorance?