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“Are People Really This Stupid?”: 48 Times People Were Loud, Confident, And Completely Wrong About Geography
The world is a big place, so realistically, most people probably can’t accurately label every single country on a map. But we should still be able to name the majority of them, or at the very least, know which continent each nation is on.
If the internet has taught us anything, though, it’s that plenty of people out there have no problem being ignorant. And when it comes to geographical knowledge, lots of individuals have confidently demonstrated just how little they know. Bored Panda has compiled a list down below of some of the funniest facepalm-worthy fails from people who clearly need to retake geography class. Enjoy scrolling through, and be sure to upvote the statements that you can’t believe aren’t satire!
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#1
"My Sources" Being "I Pulled It Out Of Thin Air"
RELATED:
#2
American Flag
#3
Native Americans Aren't Native?
How well you understand geography will depend on many factors. If you live in Europe, for example, you probably won’t have any trouble labeling the Nordic nations on a map. But you might struggle to accurately label every country in South America or Africa. Meanwhile, if you’re from the United States, you might be able to label every state within two minutes. But you might start sweating when you have to name every country in Asia.
Some people simply live in a bubble, where they don’t have to know very much about geography. But just because you don’t use maps every day doesn’t mean that it’s not valuable to have an understanding of geography.
#4
Spain In Pain
#5
‘Texas Is Like Twice The Size Of Europe Alone’
Roman Arendt 12 hours ago
What is it with this off-putting obsession so many US-Americans seem to have about size?
#6
Dawg That’s Not How That Works
Americans often get a bad rap when it comes to geography, thanks to ignorant people online who make claims like “Texas is larger than Europe.” But according to a 2019 report from Gallup and National Geographic, seven in ten Americans do believe that events around the world affect their daily lives a “great deal” or a “fair amount.” The majority of Americans could also at least correctly identify the continent that most countries they were asked about were on.
However, some Americans could definitely use some help brushing up on their knowledge of geography and international relations. A 2020 survey found that 44% had trouble correctly spotting which nations are part of the EU. And at that time, only one fifth of survey respondents knew that the UK had left the EU.
#7
“And They Yell At The Americans For Bringing Bad At Geography”
#8
Pennsylvania Isn’t In America
#9
'big Brain' Move From This Fella
Nowadays, it can be easy to assume that we don’t really need to know much about geography. After all, we have Google Maps at our fingertips at all times, and if you’re not in school, you’re probably not going to be tested on your knowledge of the world any time soon. But Thought Co. notes that it’s still important to study geography to better understand our planet. The more you know about geography, the better you’ll understand issues impacting our planet, such as climate change and water resource issues.
#10
I Mean. They’re Not Completely Off, I Guess
#11
America Has The Biggest Population In The World?
#12
A New Conspiracy Just Dropped - Snow
A deeper understanding of geography can also help you understand various cultures better. For example, if you know what the climate is like in Lithuania, you’ll understand why the traditional cuisine heavily relies on meat, potatoes, and beets. Understanding a region’s climate can also help explain why certain cultures are more outgoing, while others are more quiet and reserved.
#13
Europeans Couldn’t Find Oklahoma On A Map Of Oklahoma
#14
Open Your Mind, “But Not So Open That Your Brains Fall Out.” -Walter Kotschnig
Geoffrey Scott 12 hours ago
Go ahead, swim it. One of the most treacherous sections in the world..I'll wait.
#15
Long Island Would Float Away From New York If It Weren't Attached By A Bridge
Satirical Chess Player 3 hours ago
I stopped thinking this when I was five. Was this high schooler absent from life for 10 years?
As citizens on this planet, we have a responsibility to be well-educated. You may not think that issues occurring an ocean away impact you, but you’d be surprised. Plus, if you happen to meet someone from another continent, wouldn’t it be nice to know something about their nation? Even if all you know is where the country is, that they have plenty of beaches, and what the name of their capital is, that’s more than enough to strike up a conversation. And it saves you the embarrassment of having to admit that you’ve never heard of their country.
#16
Doesn't Make Sense For Smaller Countries To Be Divided By States Since They Are Already The Size Of A State
#17
New Science Denial Found: The Sun Apparently Does Not Heat The Earth
#18
Probably Shouldn't Have Dropped Out Of Geography Class
Open Geography Education notes that geography is often referred to as the “mother of all sciences.” This is because it was one of the earliest known scientific disciplines.
“In fact, some would argue that spatial awareness and early mapping were more significant to the development and migration of humans out of Africa than language,” Open Geography Education explains. “There is no single, linear or historic pathway through the cultural development of geography because the discipline is inherently human. Humans have always had a need and desire to explore their surroundings, expand their influence and sometimes dominance over new lands.”
#19
Europe Isn't Very Big. What Would You Do For 2 Weeks?
#20
Flat Earthers Indoctrinating Children From Birth
Now, if you’re looking through this list and feeling relieved that you never publicly posted anything this ignorant on the internet, you might also be feeling a desire to expand upon your current understanding of geography. So to get better, Brainscape recommends starting with an overview of planet Earth. Learn all of the major land masses and bodies of water. Then, you can start local and work your way outwards. Eventually, you’ll make your way across the whole globe.
#22
"Why Don't They Use Normal American Numbers On Their Clock"
Roman Arendt 12 hours ago
Don't tell him "American numbers" are actually arabic. He'd lose what little is left of his mind.
#23
If You Remove USA, The World Would Have No Culture
#24
Cloud-Shouter Discovers The Water Cycle
Are you enjoying this list of hilarious fails, pandas? Or are you wincing from second-hand embarrassment? Keep upvoting the statements that you find particularly egregious, and let us know in the comments below if you’ve ever heard someone say something equally ignorant about our planet. Then, if you’re interested in checking out another Bored Panda article featuring geography fails, look no further than right here!
#25
Trust Me Bro It’s Proof
#26
Flat Earthers Are Too Easy To Make Fun Of, Man
WindySwede 2 hours ago
Check out Dave's YT channel about this topic if you don't believe in 24h sun there, or that the earth are rotating, or that the earth is a sphere, great videos! Link below
#27
Good God. Are People Really This Stupid?
#28
Because Europe Is A 1:3 The Size Of The United States
Michael Largey 5 hours ago
It's really matter of population density. The US has huge regions which don't need passenger rail service because there's no one there. That's rare in Europe.
#29
Climate Change Is A Cult?
#30
Twitter Never Fails To Deliver
OhnoI’vebeencensored 8 hours ago
Must mean that all the people outside who can breathe are the lizard people.
#31
Gotta Be Some Sort Of Conspiracy
#32
Make Geography Great Again
#33
Globe Lies
#34
"France Has Like 100 People In It"
Multa Nocte 11 hours ago
Make that 102 since my spouse and I now live here. However, neither of us is on welfare, so I hope that doesn't skew the stats.
#35
Neither Films Nor Geography Are This Guy’s Specialist Subject
#36
Gas Doesn't Weigh Anything
#37
Classic Flat Earther
Robert Benson 5 hours ago
In case anyone is curious, rocket propulsion essentially uses Newton's laws. The stuff coming out the back has a mass and velocity. "Throwing" that stuff out, "pushes" the rocket in the opposite direction. No atmosphere required.
#38
India
#39
Austro-Hungarian Empire
Tucker Cahooter 3 hours ago
"2026 sees exciting opportunities for our services to be expanded with flights to Gaul, Carthage and Abyssinia being planned"
#40
Only The US Has Any Claim To The Word “America”! (To Add To The Confusion, He’s Saying This As A Canadian)
#41
"We Know Geography"
Geoffrey Scott 11 hours ago
You must drive very slow. I run from Central Michigan to South Central North Carolina in 14 hrs.
#42
Litterly
#43
"Next Bro Is Gonna Say That Texas Is In The Northern Hemisphere"
#44
On Kazakhstan And Uzbekistan
Debby Keir 10 hours ago
To be fair, when I was a kid, Kazakhstan etc 'existed' but were regions of the USSR, and therefore generically called 'Russia'. Everyone knew East Germany, Poland etc, but Latvia, Lithuania, Ukraine were 'eastern bloc' and never taught when I was at school. It's fascinating how the world map has changed in the past 50 years, but it sometimes makes us old ones a while to catch up.
#45
As An Adult
#46
“Does Anyone Know Where Portugal Is Actually Located?”
#47
Apparently Hawaiians And Puerto Ricans Aren't American
#48
The Problem Is This Guy’s Stupidity. That’s The Problem
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Corwin 02 12 hours ago
So after this long list of failures we can conclude that American education is severely lacking but that does not deter the Americans to have an opinion on things they know absolutely nothing about, Dunning Kruger at its best. The stupidity on display here must have cost me a few braincells at least.
David Morgan 11 hours ago
To play Devil's Advocate, they may well have mastered the education available e.g. having degree-level education. Therefore, as far as they are concerned, they DO know what they are talking about. Unfortunately, the education system has serious flaws or gaps, so when they discuss issues with people who have a more comprehensive or up to date education, they get caught out. That's a failing of the system, not necessarily the people who have gone through it.
Load More Replies...
Multa Nocte 10 hours ago
It's the arrogance and the absolute certainty that they are correct that makes it difficult to live with. But I want the world to understand that this is generally the sort of people who are on the more rightish side of the political pole, which is how we ended up with people like Trump.
nicholas nolan 5 hours ago
I'm afraid we ended up with people like trumpy because of the arrogance of our leftist friends(note: I am a progressive) that twice, TWICE protest voted for him or didn't vote stragically because they thought they were making a point.
Load More Replies... Corwin 02 12 hours ago
So after this long list of failures we can conclude that American education is severely lacking but that does not deter the Americans to have an opinion on things they know absolutely nothing about, Dunning Kruger at its best. The stupidity on display here must have cost me a few braincells at least.
David Morgan 11 hours ago
To play Devil's Advocate, they may well have mastered the education available e.g. having degree-level education. Therefore, as far as they are concerned, they DO know what they are talking about. Unfortunately, the education system has serious flaws or gaps, so when they discuss issues with people who have a more comprehensive or up to date education, they get caught out. That's a failing of the system, not necessarily the people who have gone through it.
Load More Replies... Multa Nocte 10 hours ago
It's the arrogance and the absolute certainty that they are correct that makes it difficult to live with. But I want the world to understand that this is generally the sort of people who are on the more rightish side of the political pole, which is how we ended up with people like Trump.
nicholas nolan 5 hours ago
I'm afraid we ended up with people like trumpy because of the arrogance of our leftist friends(note: I am a progressive) that twice, TWICE protest voted for him or didn't vote stragically because they thought they were making a point.
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