Only 47% of 18-29 Yr Olds Knew Answer to D-Day Q - Gallup

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around a Gallup poll indicating that only 47% of 18-29 year olds knew which country’s army the U.S. and Allied Forces fought against during the D-Day invasion. Participants explore the implications of this statistic, questioning the reliability of such polls and the general knowledge of historical events among younger generations.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express disbelief in the poll's accuracy, suggesting it may be skewed or misinterpreted.
  • Others speculate that many incorrect responses might stem from confusion about the geographical context of D-Day, with some suggesting that respondents might mistakenly associate it with Japan.
  • A few participants reflect on the broader issue of historical knowledge, noting that many people struggle with basic facts about significant events like the World Wars.
  • Some argue that the phenomenon of ignorance may be linked to information overload, where individuals prioritize practical knowledge over historical facts.
  • There are comments about the perceived decline in general knowledge, with anecdotes shared about intelligent individuals lacking basic scientific understanding.
  • Several posts highlight a generational divide in knowledge retention and education emphasis, particularly regarding subjects like astronomy and history.
  • Some participants make humorous or sarcastic remarks about the perceived ignorance of Americans and the implications of such knowledge gaps.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the validity of the poll or the reasons behind the reported lack of knowledge. Multiple competing views are presented regarding the implications of the findings and the nature of historical understanding among different age groups.

Contextual Notes

Limitations in the discussion include a lack of specific data on the incorrect responses to the poll and the varying definitions of "common knowledge" across different cultures and educational backgrounds.

  • #31
zoobyshoe said:
Which is how it all started in the first place. Maybe JCSD is bitter because the Germans lost?
Actually it was an allusion to the Soviet occupation of Austria.

It suffices to say that some people might find that quite insulting ewhen their reltives suffered at the hands of the Axis powers.

Anyway I probably wouldn't of been born if it hadn't been for the US particpation in the Pacific theatre, but that's no reason to overstate their importantce in the European theatre.
 
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  • #32
jcsd said:
It suffices to say that some people might find that quite insulting ewhen their reltives suffered at the hands of the Axis powers.
I had an uncle who landed at Normandy and helped to defeat the axis powers to help end your relatives suffering. I think he'd have found your saying the S in USA stands for "stupid" insulting.
 
  • #33
zoobyshoe said:
I had an uncle who landed at Normandy and helped to defeat the axis powers to help end your relatives suffering. I think he'd have found your saying the S in USA stands for "stupid" insulting.

Your Uncle, very po-faced was he?
 
  • #34
jcsd said:
Your Uncle, very po-faced was he?
Well, I'm not familiar with the term po-faced, but I hope it's not another of your gratuitous insults.
 
  • #35
It means 'too serious', 'humourless'.

Anyway I'm sorry Zoobyshoes, I'm a little drunk and you've just happened to satte one of my lest favoourite misconceptions: that the US somehow saved the UK from Nazi invasion.
 
  • #36
With our current puppet in the White house, I can understand the current sentiments of America as viewed from other lands. But one thing I find ironic is how arrogantly some folks talk about the arrogance of Americans. It just shows how we are quite the same.

Each culture seems to have its own variety of social arrogance. Has anyone tried to stand in line for a Coke machine in Germany? Has anyone been to a restaurant in Scotland? Even in Switzerland, trying to order food in American accented "high" German (not the Swiss dialect) resulted in repeated, quite deliberate presentations of the wrong food and overbilling.

Mind you, at the time it was the Reagan years, and I was not going to the finer establishments. My point is that the US is not the only source of jerks.
 
  • #37
Gokul43201 said:
In 2002, the the National Geographic Society polled Americans aged 18-24, showing them a world map :

30% could not point out the Pacific Ocean

49% could not find New York on the map

70% could not find New Jersey on a US map (more people knew the rough location of the original Survivor Island !)

76% could not find Saudi Arabia

These kinds of statistics are rather sickening aren't they?

What should we expect when the schools are made pseudoparents instead of teaching institutions. As a related thought, I ran into a large group of Boy Scouts at an Air and Space Museum. At one point I was in line and commented to one of the Scoutmasters that I had been a Scout, and I was curious about the current Boy Scout Handbook and what they teach. Obviously frustrated with this notion, he said that a great deal of energy is put into educating the Scouts how to avoid being molested!
 
  • #38
I think a little refresher on WWII might help here. An easy read.

http://www.emayzine.com/lectures/WWII.html
 
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  • #39
Allies. Friends who pulled in the same direction to defeat the Nazis. When you minimise your friend's role in something, or exaggerate your own role in something, tempers are bound to flare. I don't understand the statement "The Soviets won the war" anymore than "We (Americans) saved your asses in WWII". It was a team effort, and every major link in that chain of defence was vital. Stop being a cheerleader for your country.
 
  • #40
zoobyshoe said:
If it weren't for the USA you'd be posting that in German, don't forget.

Two-thirds of Germany's war effort was expended against the Russians. It is far more accurate to say "If not for the Russians, Americans would be posting in German".
 
  • #41
Did the Soviets ever pay back the U.S. on the "Lend/Lease" equipment they were given by the U.S.?
 
  • #42
cragwolf said:
Allies. Friends who pulled in the same direction to defeat the Nazis. When you minimise your friend's role in something, or exaggerate your own role in something, tempers are bound to flare.
Actually, it all started when someone's contribution to the discussion was "Americans are stupid." The person who said that later admitted to being drunk.

Now, a day later, I think who did what in WWII is much less the issue than whether or not people should post while drunk.
 
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  • #43
I think what Mother Russia suffered should be enough to pay back any world debt. Have a nice long read about Stalingrad.
 
  • #44
Adam said:
Two-thirds of Germany's war effort was expended against the Russians. It is far more accurate to say "If not for the Russians, Americans would be posting in German".
I don't think so for the reason I mentioned earlier: if we hadn't been able to defeat the Germans with conventional forces, Truman, I'm sure, would have used the bomb on them.
 
  • #45
Zoobyshoe, clearly I don't believe that James I rounded up all the stupid people and sent them to the US (he actually sent them to Canada), but it doesn't stop post #15 from being just plain ignorant.
 
  • #46
jcsd said:
Zoobyshoe, clearly I don't believe that James I rounded up all the stupid people and sent them to the US (he actually sent them to Canada), but it doesn't stop post #15 from being just plain ignorant.
You are drunk again?
 
  • #47
zoobyshoe said:
You are drunk again?

No I rarely drink, but when England win 6-1 I make an exception.
 
  • #48
Hmm, I guess if you limit your drinking to when England win you are probably on the verge of teetotality...
 
  • #49
jcsd said:
Zoobyshoe, clearly I don't believe that James I rounded up all the stupid people and sent them to the US (he actually sent them to Canada), but it doesn't stop post #15 from being just plain ignorant.
No, it doesn't. The link provided by Evo is informative, and you are correct: given the difficulties an invasion would entail, and unable to cripple the British airforce because of radar, the Germans set their invasion plans aside. So, the specific notion that, if it weren't for us the Germans would have successfully invaded England, is erroneous: Germany got itself balled up invading Russia after the attempt on England.
 
  • #50
Well, I understood that jcsd was just joking. Try it, it's fun :)

I watched the D-Day ceremonies this morning and am very disappointed that people are fighting about who owes who. No man is an island.

Make love- or else...!
Rachel
(that was a joke, BTW)
 
  • #51
Janitor said:
Did the Soviets ever pay back the U.S. on the "Lend/Lease" equipment they were given by the U.S.?

Yes, in blood.
 
  • #52
honestrosewater said:
Try it, it's fun :)
..Try what?
 
  • #53
cragwolf said:
Yes, in blood.

exactly what I was saying, but once again, as in real life and e-life when I try to be serious, everyone ignores me.
 
  • #54
jimmy p said:
exactly what I was saying, but once again, as in real life and e-life when I try to be serious, everyone ignores me.
I don't know about real life, but a bunch of us participated seriously in your landlord trouble thread. a lot of thoughtful answers in your Gibraltar thread, too.
 
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  • #55
:-p I know but I was out with "friends" tonight and they told me that they can't take me seriously... anyway if I could remember the name of the author, the book Stalingrad is a really inciteful read..I'll get back to you on that one...

thanx guys for being thoughtful, I wish I could the same... :biggrin:
 
  • #56
zoobyshoe said:
..Try what?

Understanding a joke. Do you really think that everything everyone says is either an agreement with you or an attack against you? Because it's beginning to seem that way.?
 
  • #57
jimmy p said:
exactly what I was saying, but once again, as in real life and e-life when I try to be serious, everyone ignores me.

My apologies, I missed it. I won't do it again.
 
  • #58
:) nah, I am just playing around craggy... As long as "our" point got across :biggrin:
 
  • #59
honestrosewater said:
Understanding a joke.
I understand jokes.
 
  • #60
is the book "war of the rats" by any chance?
 

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