Why are some Americans ignorant?

Some Americans are ignorant for the same reason some Europeans are - maybe your parents should put you into better schools, and not one that only learns about Roman Numerals when your 14 years old.

I totally feel your sentiment on why some people insist on remaining ignorant, but I grow tired of generalizations anecdotal evidence being applied to a whole country. Adding the qualifier "some" doesn't make it all that better either.

I don't really know why. People like you will do well in life because it's obvious you're intelligent. For a 9th grader, you have excellent writing skills (grammar, punctuation, clarity, etc.) - I can easily understand what you're writing. In fact, if you hadn't told us you were in the 9th grade, I would have thought you were much older! No, all Americans aren't ignorant but a LOT of them are and apparently prefer to stay that way. For some odd reason, it might be peer pressure, although I fail to see the reasoning behind being a dummy and wanting to stay that way just because one's friends are like that.

Keep up with what YOU are doing! I have a feeling that you're one of the few who is going to excel no matter what you choose to do with your life. I don't know you but I'm proud of you. Comparing what you wrote to the vast majority of questions on here, you're a breath of fresh air!

I'm with U, an American too, but just as it's imperative to know the metric system; (I understand eventually it will be changed to that anyway, (guilty I do not know it yet) but the easy way out is not the best, and Americans think it is.I applaud you for your smarts, insights and accusations, I think we should have more savvy persons from the inside out here in America to tell you the truth. I know others educated in Europe, and they all say the same things.

I know exactly what you're going through right now. The kids here in the united states have their priorities mixed all they care about is facebook,littering,sex and getting high or drunk and if a topic is mentioned that is outside their limited scope ,they deem it as stupid.

Try to get your parents to transfer you because being around that WILL drag you down,believe me.

it's really depressing this once great country has selfish/arrogant/ignorant kids as it's future!

Why is some of ANYBODY something? Your example is silly, though. That's like saying "for thousands of years, people thought the sun revolved around Earth. How come those silly Americans don't believe it? It's a tradition!"

It's the population of the Earth as a whole, it's not just Americans; that's a very ignorant statement.

Unfortunately school has become more like daycare for brats these days. The issues start at home. Blame parents, not the school system. And the cell/electronic device thing, those need to be BANNED from schools.

Because there mind controlled, they still teach Columbus

was this great man and have a "Columbus day" when he

was a rapist, mass murderer, and a thief. Having a "Columbus day"

would be like Germany having a "Hitler day" that's only one piece

to a much larger puzzle of modern day cooperate america.

Well, I can see their point, I mean, learning Roman numerals is kind of a waste of time. When will they EVER find that useful? I am all about being educated, but as far as unneeded crap, I'm not all about that. Learn something that you will use at some point.

Some people just don't feel like what they are learning is relevant to their lives so they just dismiss it.