Why are Americans so damn bad at geography? Does it matter really?
Well, yes. There are things in life that matter. Geography is one of them.
When the newsreader on a popular TV channel tells you there’s a war in Afghanistan, riots in Syria or Somalia, you may as well want to know where these countries are located.
We call that general knowledge.
On Sunday, in a report about phone hacking arrests – some pretty ugly stuff that has to do with Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp – that took place in Britain, CNN quite surprisingly located London, England, on a map where the city of Norwich, in Norfolk, is.
I mean… has the British Capital actually moved to Norwich? Did it happen overnight? If that is the case, please let me know!
Now, seriously, wouldn’t you expect such an international TV channel (it currently broadcasts to over 212 countries and territories) to double check everything is accurate – especially maps!!! – before it goes live on air?
One can recall George W. Bush one day saying that the Capital of Brazil was Buenos Aires – or did we just dream that –, when in fact, everyone knows it’s Bogota… (just kidding!!!)
Am I having an easy laugh at the Americans? I’m certainly not. Americans are very much the first to have a good laugh at themselves, check this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJuNgBkloFE
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ABOUT J.N. PAQUET.
J.N. Paquet is an author, journalist and songwriter based in Sao Paulo, Brazil. He lived in France for more than 20 years and in London, UK, for 10 years. He has been writing about France and Britain’s current affairs for two decades. He is a frequent contributor to SkyNews Blogs, CNN iReport, and Ground Report.
In addition, J.N. Paquet is also the author of more than 20 books – most of which have been translated into seven languages – written in multiple genres, from children’s books to thrillers, tragedies and lyrics, all available as paperbacks and as eBooks for Kindle.
To learn more about J.N. Paquet and his works, please visit his website, at: www.jnpaquet.com or follow him on Twitter, at: @jnpaquet (for his books feed) and @jnpaquet2 (for his news feed).