Simpsons Known Better Than the US Constitution?

[zorg]

Well, to be fair, I know neither the Basic Law here nor what the Simpsons' baby is called. But the point is that the TV is a more constant feature of everyday life to the average person. It's hard to appreciate what freedom really means unless you experience what it is to not have any of it (which is not likely to happen), whereas all you need to do is have a power shortage to find out how much you depend on your TV.

Dan, I don't quite get your point about most Western education systems ignoring media literacy. Are you making a point that Middle Eastern or Far Eastern education systems do?

Its maggie!

*shakes head*

I'll bet if you did a similar poll in australia, more people would know whats going on in Neighbours/HomeandAway than the politics.

[SpiraLethe]

If the poll is actually accurate, reality would be pretty sad. It not only says something about the individuals, but our education system. The Constitution is so much more important than The Simpsons (if anyone attempts to start a facetious argument over this, you will be slapped). There are reasons to explain this (ie: pop culture more constant in our lives, etc), but there's no excuse to make this "okay".

However, I don't trust this poll at all. I'd like to see information on who was polled, where the polling was done, etc. Plenty of statistics are fake or unrealiable, and that includes legit scientific research.

[The Wonder Weezel]

i dont think it proves anything... or is really that bad. Simpsons is a TV show. TV is a part of American culture. They see the simpsons all the time, and the simpsons have become popular OUTSIDE of TV. you see them everywhere. It's like naming the two top cola companies in the US instead of the constitutional rights. A lot of people dont study their rights... because they dont need to. Im sure a lot of people dont like to waste their time reading the constitution. Im not saying people dont, because i know some do like to study that, but is it really that surprising, or is it really that bad of a reflection on the US? i think not.

[Skynetmain]

It has been shown that you need to know more about US government and history to become a legalized immigrant than to get through high school. I found a site that had part of the INS' test. I would have passed easily according to the results. Some of the questions I got right were so obscure that I doubt I would have seen them unless I took higher lever history and government classes in college.

[maniac]

I definitely know the Simpsons better than the Constitution.


... but then again, I don't live in the US!

I wouldn't trust that type of poll at all personally.

[SpiraLethe]

A lot of people dont study their rights... because they dont need to. Im sure a lot of people dont like to waste their time reading the constitution. Im not saying people dont, because i know some do like to study that, but is it really that surprising, or is it really that bad of a reflection on the US? i think not.

Knowing the Constitution is most definitly not a waste of time and everyone should at least read it once or know most of the basic rights. Yes, it is a bad reflection on the US (and I'm sure it's not just the US who have ignorant citizens). It shows that we take our rights for granted. Yes, complacency happens when one lives in a comfortable and sheltered situation for a long period of time, but it's not innate and it can be helped. I guess I'm overly zealous about these things since I was born in a totalitarian country.

[theonlysaneone]

A lot of people dont study their rights... because they dont need to. Im sure a lot of people dont like to waste their time reading the constitution. Im not saying people dont, because i know some do like to study that, but is it really that surprising, or is it really that bad of a reflection on the US? i think not.

Knowing the Constitution is most definitly not a waste of time and everyone should at least read it once or know most of the basic rights. Yes, it is a bad reflection on the US (and I'm sure it's not just the US who have ignorant citizens). It shows that we take our rights for granted. Yes, complacency happens when one lives in a comfortable and sheltered situation for a long period of time, but it's not innate and it can be helped. I guess I'm overly zealous about these things since I was born in a totalitarian country.

Wow, just like Ayn Rand. I totally agree. Everyone needs to know their rights, as well as have a more-than-basic understanding of the US Constitution. I also think people need to study the Magna Carta, English Bill of Rights, Declaration of Independence, Mayflower Compact, and the writings of William Bradford in their US History class. This kind of complacency is what allows people to take away their rights. After all, you can't even defend a right to something if you don't know you have it!

[Skynetmain]

... I also think people need to study the Magna Carta, English Bill of Rights, Declaration of Independence, Mayflower Compact, and the writings of William Bradford in their US History class...

Nice list, but you forgot the Articles of Confederation, the Fedralist Papers, and anything and everything by Ben Franklin. All of these writings and more can be easily found in America: The Book, the perfect source for all you need to know on America and our system of government. (PS: Watch the man who wrote America: The Book host the Oscars on Sunday evening).

[theonlysaneone]

... I also think people need to study the Magna Carta, English Bill of Rights, Declaration of Independence, Mayflower Compact, and the writings of William Bradford in their US History class...

Nice list, but you forgot the Articles of Confederation, the Fedralist Papers, and anything and everything by Ben Franklin. All of these writings and more can be easily found in America: The Book, the perfect source for all you need to know on America and our system of government. (PS: Watch the man who wrote America: The Book host the Oscars on Sunday evening).

Yeah, it's hard to make a complete list. I chose the ones that popped into my head immediately.

[maniac]

Magna Carta => British, not just English.

[Igg]

I'll bet if you did a similar poll in australia, more people would know whats going on in Neighbours/HomeandAway than the politics.

Why does Steph keep dreaming about Drew?

[Hil]

It's the seventeenth season of The Simpsons, I'm sure everyone has at least seen a few episodes. Plus, I'd much rather watch my dvds of it than read through the first amendment.

Technically, it's older than me, the shorts came out a little less than a month before I was born...that makes it almost 19 years old. I mean, I'm sure people who don't watch it at least know the characters' names...just because it's been going on so long.

And I sort of know the first amendment, I'm taking government at school now. I don't know it off the top of my head, but I have a vague idea what it's about. xD

Last edited by Hil on Sun Mar 05, 2006 12:37 am, edited 2 times in total.

[Amethyst]

First off:

The Simpsons - ENTERTAINING.
The Constitution - NOT.

It's simply human nature to show more intrest in something that gives them pleasure than something that's just sort of there. Sure, everyone should know their first amendment rights, but if I had the choice between reading the constitution and watching The Simpsons, it's pretty obvious which I'd pick.

And second, just naming the five family members? My friend S-chan knows that, and she's never even seen a whole episode. If more people knew the name of Selma's iguana than their first amendment rights, then I'd be worried.

It's Jub Jub^^

[Skynetmain]

And second, just naming the five family members? My friend S-chan knows that, and she's never even seen a whole episode. If more people knew the name of Selma's iguana than their first amendment rights, then I'd be worried.

Iguana - Jubjub
Flander's store - Leftorium
Flander's store's rival - Leftopolis
Nelson's last name - Muntz
Hank Hill's quote at a football game - 'We drove five thousand miles for this?'
Bender's line after coming out of the Quantum Tunnel - 'You're my new best friends.'
Actor playing Prof Frink's dad - Jerry Lewis
Marge's occupation at the church - Listen Lady
Moe's cat - Mr Schnookums

1st Amendment - basic freedoms
2nd - right own firearms and to organize a local militia in times of war
3rd - no quartering soldiers without permission during peace time
5th - no testifying against yourself
7th - no double jepordy (except with Alex Tebec (sp?))
9th - ensure all freedoms not covered
13th - end to slavery
14th - African-Americans and legal citizens can vote
18th - prohibition
19th - women can vote (only white and black women though)
21st - no prohibition
25th - chain of succession
26th - every citizen 18+ can vote

Most of that was from memory (all the Simpsons stuff and the first half of the Amendments). Fortunately, I keep a copy of the Constitution by my computer at all time.

Edit: I actually know what most of the rights in the Constitution are,I just don't know their numbers.

[Igg]

Oh, random simpsons trivia, how we love thee.

In the episode with The Itchy and Scratchy Movie, Lisa comes in and says something about the celebrities who did cameos, who weren't credited, but you could tell it was them- 'Dustin Hoffman, Michael Jackson'. This is a reference to Simpsons episodes with the voices of Dustin Hoffman and Michael Jackson that go uncredited.