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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!
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
American Flag
RELATED:
#2
Native Americans Aren't Native?
#3
"My Sources" Being "I Pulled It Out Of Thin Air"
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 2 weeks ago
What is it with this off-putting obsession so many US-Americans seem to have about size?
#6
Pennsylvania Isn’t In America
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
Dawg That’s Not How That Works
#8
'big Brain' Move From This Fella
#9
“And They Yell At The Americans For Bringing Bad At Geography”
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
Europeans Couldn’t Find Oklahoma On A Map Of Oklahoma
#12
America Has The Biggest Population In The World?
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
Doesn't Make Sense For Smaller Countries To Be Divided By States Since They Are Already The Size Of A State
#14
A New Conspiracy Just Dropped - Snow
#15
Long Island Would Float Away From New York If It Weren't Attached By A Bridge
Satirical Chess Player 2 weeks 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
Open Your Mind, “But Not So Open That Your Brains Fall Out.” -Walter Kotschnig
Geoffrey Scott 2 weeks ago
Go ahead, swim it. One of the most treacherous sections in the world..I'll wait.
#17
Because Europe Is A 1:3 The Size Of The United States
#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
"Why Don't They Use Normal American Numbers On Their Clock"
Roman Arendt 2 weeks ago
Don't tell him "American numbers" are actually arabic. He'd lose what little is left of his mind.
#20
Europe Isn't Very Big. What Would You Do For 2 Weeks?
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
Flat Earthers Indoctrinating Children From Birth
#23
Twitter Never Fails To Deliver
OhnoI’vebeencensored 2 weeks ago
Must mean that all the people outside who can breathe are the lizard people.
#24
New Science Denial Found: The Sun Apparently Does Not Heat The Earth
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
Flat Earthers Are Too Easy To Make Fun Of, Man
WindySwede 2 weeks 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
#26
Climate Change Is A Cult?
#27
Gotta Be Some Sort Of Conspiracy
#28
If You Remove USA, The World Would Have No Culture
#29
Cloud-Shouter Discovers The Water Cycle
#30
Trust Me Bro It’s Proof
#31
Good God. Are People Really This Stupid?
#32
Globe Lies
#33
Make Geography Great Again
#34
Neither Films Nor Geography Are This Guy’s Specialist Subject
#36
"France Has Like 100 People In It"
Multa Nocte 2 weeks 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.
#37
Gas Doesn't Weigh Anything
#38
Litterly
Billo66 2 weeks ago (edited)
Yes, you can be Scandinavian and also Icelandic. Just like OP is Moronic / American simultaneously. (I'm assuming.) I'm American, we know our own. Unless you are the Moron, then we're oblivious. For all I know my hinges are on the last s***w. ... Screw: An inclined plane wrapped around a cylinder. Yeah don't let that little secret get out BP.
#39
Austro-Hungarian Empire
Fellfromthemoon 2 weeks ago
That map was a real antique piece. The Austro-Hungarian Empire ended in 1918.
#40
Only The US Has Any Claim To The Word “America”! (To Add To The Confusion, He’s Saying This As A Canadian)
#41
As An Adult
#42
On Kazakhstan And Uzbekistan
Debby Keir 2 weeks 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.
#43
"We Know Geography"
Geoffrey Scott 2 weeks ago
You must drive very slow. I run from Central Michigan to South Central North Carolina in 14 hrs.
#44
"Next Bro Is Gonna Say That Texas Is In The Northern Hemisphere"
#45
Classic Flat Earther
Robert Benson 2 weeks 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.
#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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What do you think ?
bElLa sTairZz 2 weeks ago
anti-intellectualism, a known friend of fascism
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Corwin 02 2 weeks 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 2 weeks 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 2 weeks 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 2 weeks 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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Gordon 2 weeks ago
Sadly many Americans are stupid. As an American myself I say that with a heavy heart. BUT, things win people over; agendas, religions, cults, etc. Education in this country would be easier and more productive if people were more worried about how much we DON'T pay teachers instead of if the ten commandments are in the classroom or not.
nicholas nolan 2 weeks ago
You know you can do two things at once, right? Like I want teachers paid more and I want the ten commandments out of the classroom. I also want comparative religious education in the classroom.
Load More Replies...
Smeghead Tribble Down Under 2 weeks ago
I *headdesked* so many times I think I have a concussion.
nottheactualphoto 2 weeks ago
In fairness, that's what this entire site is.
Load More Replies...
Anony Mouse 1 week ago
A bit unfair on US Americans. I’ve been to 40 countries and 7 continents, but I know next to nothing about the ‘stans’, sub-Saharan Africa or central American countries. I bet you could construct a survey for most countries to ‘prove’ how ‘ignorant’ they are.
Roberta Surprenant 1 week ago
So glad nobody from any other nation is confident when totally wrong, being born outside USA inoculated them. (/S)
Jes.the.Mess 1 week ago
Just thinking about that "and I'm proud to be an American" song we all were forced to sing in grade school
Chris the Bobcat 2 weeks ago
It's genuinely depressing to think I will be forever lumped in with these idiots because of the country of my birth.
nicholas nolan 2 weeks ago
They layers of bigotry in one sentence...it would be beautiful if it wasn't so utterly foul.
Load More Replies... bElLa sTairZz 2 weeks ago
anti-intellectualism, a known friend of fascism
Load More Replies... Corwin 02 2 weeks 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 2 weeks 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 2 weeks 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 2 weeks 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... Gordon 2 weeks ago
Sadly many Americans are stupid. As an American myself I say that with a heavy heart. BUT, things win people over; agendas, religions, cults, etc. Education in this country would be easier and more productive if people were more worried about how much we DON'T pay teachers instead of if the ten commandments are in the classroom or not.
nicholas nolan 2 weeks ago
You know you can do two things at once, right? Like I want teachers paid more and I want the ten commandments out of the classroom. I also want comparative religious education in the classroom.
Load More Replies... Smeghead Tribble Down Under 2 weeks ago
I *headdesked* so many times I think I have a concussion.
nottheactualphoto 2 weeks ago
In fairness, that's what this entire site is.
Load More Replies... Anony Mouse 1 week ago
A bit unfair on US Americans. I’ve been to 40 countries and 7 continents, but I know next to nothing about the ‘stans’, sub-Saharan Africa or central American countries. I bet you could construct a survey for most countries to ‘prove’ how ‘ignorant’ they are.
Roberta Surprenant 1 week ago
So glad nobody from any other nation is confident when totally wrong, being born outside USA inoculated them. (/S)
Jes.the.Mess 1 week ago
Just thinking about that "and I'm proud to be an American" song we all were forced to sing in grade school
Chris the Bobcat 2 weeks ago
It's genuinely depressing to think I will be forever lumped in with these idiots because of the country of my birth.
nicholas nolan 2 weeks ago
They layers of bigotry in one sentence...it would be beautiful if it wasn't so utterly foul.
Load More Replies... You May Like 50 Of The Funniest Signs Ever Spotted In The Wild (New Pics) "Oh God, This Person's An Idiot": 80 Moments When People Realized A Person Was Dumb People Almost Had A Stroke Trying To Read These 108 Hilariously Confusing Pics
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