Are you smarter than a 5th grader?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the television show "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?" and the perceived lack of basic knowledge exhibited by contestants. Participants express their thoughts on the implications of such performances for education and society, as well as the entertainment value of the show.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express disbelief at a contestant's inability to convert yards to feet, suggesting a broader issue with basic education in America.
  • Others argue that the show highlights a troubling trend in society regarding knowledge and common sense.
  • A few participants speculate that the show may be rigged or designed to feature less knowledgeable contestants for entertainment purposes.
  • Some comments reflect on the emotional impact of the show, with participants questioning how contestants cope with their performance.
  • There are mentions of specific incorrect answers given by contestants, such as the location of Mount Everest and the height of two fifth graders.
  • Several participants share personal anecdotes about their own knowledge gaps, indicating a recognition of human fallibility.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the show's entertainment value and the troubling implications of contestants' performances, but there is no consensus on whether the show is rigged or the reasons behind the contestants' lack of knowledge.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note that nerves may affect performance on the show, while others highlight the absurdity of certain answers as indicative of a larger societal issue.

  • #61
The one episode I caught on TV and watched some of, I didn't realize it was a real game show, which is why I kept watching. I saw Jeff Foxworthy and thought it was one of his redneck skits poking fun at game show contestants. Only when it dawned on me that it was a real gameshow and that people really were that stupid, and that it wasn't going to end soon (I agree with the others who say it's to sssssllllllllllooooooooooooooooowwwwwwwww), I turned it off and never had any interest in watching again. I just can't stand the idea of a show that rewards people for being dumber than a post.
 
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  • #62
Moonbear said:
:smile: The expression on Jacob and Spencer's faces should have given away how wrong she was if nothing else did! :smile:

But, hey, maybe she has a really big house and her yard really is 352 feet long. :biggrin:

Oh, wait, I can top that...
They do say everything's bigger in Texas! :-p

(I can't let Ivan claim all the groaners. :rolleyes:)

You also would think that the audience laughing at her numbers would have given it away as well...:smile:
 
  • #63
What really gets me is the "NASA rocket scientist." If he had really wanted to do well, you would think he would have picked the math and science questions first, instead of stumbling over geography and history. Despite his assertion that he didn't used to like math in elementary school, one would hope he would have no problem handling this sort of math *now*. It made me wonder if it wasn't really all rigged after all. I mean, his reactions (e.g. to getting a question wrong) seemed over the top, as if he were (over)acting. Not only that, but when he looked into the camera and said, "I'm a rocket scientist, but I'm still not smarter than a fifth grader!", he seemed to have this mischievious/delighted grin on his face. I think the show really just wanted the gimmick of a rocket scientist not being smarter than a fifth grader.

Finally, the whole premise of the show is flawed. The issue is not whether one is "smarter" than a fifth grader (although you do wonder about the intelligence of some of the contestants), but whether one is as knowledgeable as a fifth grader, in as many areas as those taught to fifth graders in school. That the the majority of the American public does not seem to meet this criterion does not surprise me one bit.
 
  • #64
I guess what I'm trying to say is that ignorance is not quite the same thing as stupidity, and what is on display in this show is mostly ignorance, with the occasional bout of stupidity thrown in for entertainment value.
 
  • #65
I have to question not only how it is possible that grown men and women are incapable of compute 2.5*3, but also why we are teaching so many other less useful topics (such as the location of Mt. Everest) to fifth graders when there are grown men and women out there who can't compute 2.5*3.
 
  • #66
Its 7.5 right? Somebody check my arithmetic
 
  • #67
I've a home version. I get to watch my older brother educate his girlfriend's son that Mt. Everest is shorter than K2, that there is no South Magnetic Pole, and that a googolplex is 1 followed by a million zeroes. :frown:

I have him frenzied over my suggestion *cough* that the North Magnetic Pole is in the south. :biggrin:
 
  • #68
I also agree with the show being too slow. I watched it twice and that's it.
 
  • #69
Are You Smarter than 5th Grader? I apparently am not!

http://www.squidoo.com/are-you-smarter-than-a-5th-grader/

I don't think the contestants are the only stupid ones.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #70
Hurkyl said:
Of course: Texas.

why are u american guys always mocking with texan dudes?:biggrin:
 
  • #71
jonegil said:
why are u american guys always mocking with texan dudes?:biggrin:
The host asked her where she went to school and she said Texas.
 
  • #72
Evo said:
The host asked her where she went to school and she said Texas.

Yeah...but I've heard many times American people makin fun of Texan guys n sayin dat they r crazy, why?
 
  • #73
Visit Texas and find out for yourself!
 
  • #74
mattmns said:
Visit Texas and find out for yourself!

thank you for the explanation:wink:..it seems very logical
 

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