Whilst randomly perusing the offerings on television last evening, we happened upon a social experiment that proves, alas, that when it comes to geography, many American young adults have indeed been left behind in Stupidville.
The so-called social experiment is the CW's TV program "Beauty and the Geek," which airs on Tuesday nights this fall. In one segment, the Beauties (as the attractive but admittedly dim-witted women in the cast are known) are asked to name countries of the world, beginning with the letter "a" and working their way through the alphabet. For a, they suggested "Alabama" and "Arkansas." Oh, and Asia. A bronze star to that Beauty, because at least Asia is not a state. For B: "Boston." For C: "The Caribbeans." And then the inevitable question that has dogged schoolchildren for so many years: "Is Europe a country?"
Sigh. No, Europe is NOT A COUNTRY!!!!
As for the Geeky Guys, we do not know if they have mastered geography. They do seem to know a lot about computers and comic books. And they are very lame when it comes to kissing a mannequin.
After the show, we tried to think of a country for every letter of the alphabet. We did really well until "J" came up. (Okay, it was late and our brain was tired.) But later: Jakarta! And then: No, it's a city. D'Oh. As for Q and X ... any suggestions from our Pop Omnivore geography buffs?
— Marc Silver
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Comments
Sep 19, 2007 9AM #
Am I missing something, or would "Japan" be a correct answer?
Sep 19, 2007 9AM #
Thanks, Ron. Loved your musings on X countries. As a U.C. Berkeley grad, I yearn for the days of hippiedom in Berkeley. Long live Freedom Park!
Sep 19, 2007 9AM #
I came up with Qatar, but then I got stuck on W. All I can think of is Wales and Western Sahara. Am I surrounded by maps? Yes. Yes, I am. But that seems like cheating. At least now I know not to waste my time when I get to X! (Y and Z are easy.)
Sep 19, 2007 9AM #
In response to "Alabama is not a county," let me fill in the gaps. Qatar (officially the State of Qatar) is the only country whose name begins with the letter "q." For the record and those geographically-minded among us, it is an Arab emirate in Southwest Asia, occupying the small Qatar Peninsula on the northeasterly coast of the larger Arabian Peninsula. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south; otherwise the Persian Gulf surrounds the state.
There is NO country with a name that begins with the letter "x." But who knows what the future might bring (e.g., Xtirpated, X-patriot, Xile). Well, you get the idea.
Ron Landskroner
Oakland, CA (Berkeley is no longer a socialist republic -- trust me).
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