Title,+Intro,+Scope

Ian Brunell Senior Sem


 * Title:** Us Versus Them: The Reality of American Ignorace


 * Introduction:** How many times have you seen late night talk-show hosts exemplify peoples’ stupidity on the streets of New York City? How many times have you sat on your couch laughing at the people being asked general knowledge questions, thinking “oh that’s hilarious,” while disregarding the fact that you didn’t know the answers either? I am addressing the ever-growing issue of the lack of knowledge in Americans for the people featured in such humorous interviews, for those of you who answered “yes” to the aforementioned questions, and to those who need to become aware of this drastic problem. Over the past two years, I began following international news more closely than I ever had before, in doing so, I also discovered that the majority of my friends seemingly ignored international issues – furthermore, it was the same case with domestic politics. However, I noticed an increasing awareness and absorption in pop culture among my peers in lieu of a political awareness. Beyond my peers, I began noticing a problem with the media as well; news stations focusing more and more on entertainment rather than important issues in the world. For example, on any given day on //Good Morning America//, you will receive a bombardment of cultural hot topics, but never once will you hear a report of international conflict. I intend, through this paper and project, to increase the awareness in my audience of American ignorance.


 * Scope:** Hopefully, I will be able to use this project to spark a fire in the minds of my audience. I intend for my audience to realize the shocking truth of the current state of American knowledge. Hopefully my peers, after seeing my presentation, will decide to do their part in learning about political issues. I am limited, however, in how far I could go with this project. Unlike large media corporations and TV hosts, I do not have the budget to go international to research foreign opinions and knowledge – I am going to have to have a portion of my research assigned to statistics of foreign knowledge and views on America. Generally, I feel my focus shifting more to a focus on the youth in my audience, as so far it seems that American youth fits most of the statistics about American ignorance.