Is America Smarter Than A 5th Grader?

[133724]

Tonight was the start of that new Jeff Foxworthy-hosted quiz show 'Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader?'; I didn't watch it but I think the fact that it exists is a sad statement about America (which, to be fair, is kind of the point of the show...at least the title).

In the past 2 decades we've gone from 'Jeopardy' to 'Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?' to 'Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader?'.

Can we all take a moment and just reflect on that?

http://www.parislemon.com/2007/02/is-america-smarter-than-5th-grader.html

[EST]

1. Reminds me of the scene from a story.

It's been, maybe, forty years since I read it-Marching Morons, perhaps?
As I recall, there was a time traveler from the present who was riding in some sort of future modern vehicle, when, from the entertainment speaker in the car came a piercing shout, "TAKE IT AND STICK IT!" to announce the opening act of a game show wherein the best and brightest would compete for prizes by sticking things into things. Might have been round pegs into square holes, or some such.

Is intellectual capability and curiosity declining that much? I suppose, in a world pushing seven billion in population, there has to be an appropriately large number of dolts and their interests have to be accounted for, with the effects being pervasive.

[ClintonTyree]

2. Rest assured, our President isn't.

Of course if he were to compete they'd have him "wired" with mics and prompters shouting in his ear to BURY those fifth graders. It would be another stunning victory for our great pResident. :sarcasm:

[GreenZoneLT]

3. Oh, please.

TV might be dumber, but quiz shows haven't changed much since the '70s. Ever watch "Tic Tac Dough?" You had to be somewhat brain-damaged to miss the questions, but contestants managed either to do that, or to forget how to play Tic Tac Toe.

I put this Foxworthy thing right there with Art Linkletter's children's interviews. Says not so much about society.

[Fuzz]

4. Decent point, Match Game, the 'No Whammies', Newlywed Game

Let's Make A Deal.

Quite a few come to mind.

[I_Will]

5. But, I think the difference is...

...shows or skits like this allow the viewers to glorify their own ignorance by chanting, "At least I'm not that dumb" to the teevee. And, just like superstitions, most things the viewers also don't know (or doesn't match what they they think they know) is written off and/or forgotten.

It rewards indulging in self-righteous ignorance and eliminates an incentive to learn.

Whoa...a little to heavy for early morning (grin).

[Kurovski]

6. Memory also plays a part...

and can often trip us up.

:D Like say, all the different "To, too, two, tutus."

[Toots]

9. Just the title is indicative of the truth

Are you smarter than a fifth grader? Only in America...and you know what, the sad fact is there are many many many that are not. Ever watch Jay Walking on the tonight show? Another thing a fifth grader today is no where near as informed and articulate as a fifth grader in the forties...Only in America, and people wonder why other countries shake their heads in wonder at the decline of American prowess.

[The Anti-Neo Con]

7. Haha, your post made me think of the movie Idiocracy.

I just watched it last night.

[rug]

8. Why is this question being asked after Bush's reelection?