Things that I don't know but I should know

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Reason for U.S. involvement in Vietnam: After WWII, the U.S. foreign policy establishment believed that if a country like Vietnam became communist, other countries would likely become communist. Known as the domino theory. So, it wasn't so much about Vietnam, per se, but stopping the spread of communism even further.

That is, indeed, the generally accepted reason for US involvement in Vietnam, however, there are several other reasons one could come up with once you read the literature. I agree that David Halberstam's "The Best and the Brightest" and would also suggest Neil Sheehan's "A Bright Shining Lie".

[Anonymous]

I stand corrected on my answer about the black hole That's why I like reading all of the responses. I like to be able to learn things that I didn't know before. It's too bad that there are so many people making rude responses regarding the intelligence of the people asking the questions. The only thing that I find "appalling" is the attitude of those posters.

Also, a supernova happens when a star is a few million years old and it explodes with a brief, brilliant light.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I stand corrected on my answer about the black hole That's why I like reading all of the responses. I like to be able to learn things that I didn't know before. It's too bad that there are so many people making rude responses regarding the intelligence of the people asking the questions. The only thing that I find "appalling" is the attitude of those posters.

Also, a supernova happens when a star is a few million years old and it explodes with a brief, brilliant light.

Maybe they have a bad case of Bethesdaitis. Does anyone know if there is a cure for that?

[Anonymous]

A lot. Won't post here, don't feel like being attacked.

I'll just say it was way too easy to be an honor roll student without knowing anything.

[Anonymous]

I gave DH a book last Christmas called "I Used to Know That" by Caroline Taggart. It is full of facts you probably learned in school but forgot. He loved it, and I read it because it had a lot of math in it. I never took much math and found it interesting to learn a little bit more about a subject I don't understand very well. It was full of info such as the questions posed by the OP.

[Anonymous]

If you want to know "stuff," watch, listen, and read (I'm paraphrasing a PP here). Have an open, inquisitive mind. We're all lifelong learners. I know most of "don't have time" to read, but make a concerted effort. American Experience and Frontline on PBS are really great ways to obtain knowledge quickly and painlessly. I'm a documentary nerd. I'd rather watch a documentary over an inane reality show any day. This way I'm still watching TV, but I'm learning something.

[Anonymous]

LOVE Bill Bryson! I've never heard of that book, but I will definitly check it out. I'm the pp that doesn't know US gov't, and, yes, I can read.

And thanks to the pps that posted the schoolhouse rock link. I did watch it!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I find this list and all the comments interesting at 230 in the morning.

I went to public school. I am under 30. While I know most of what is on the Op's list the rest I don't because I could care less.

I think you learn things you want to know.

I learned what a Maven is this summer. It is someone who knows a little about a lot of things. I was told I was one of those.

I know things because I watch, listen and read. I watch and listen far more than I read.

As for public or private I think that is a personal choice. I went to good public schools.

Also the comments made by people who immigrated here are really useless. I personally beleive if you think Americans are stupid then pack your bags and go back to your country.

NO WAY! Your ignorance is the reason why we're here... You don't know anything so you outsource everything so we come here (with our broken English and ethnic clothing), work a little, get rich and then we go back home

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I find this list and all the comments interesting at 230 in the morning.

I went to public school. I am under 30. While I know most of what is on the Op's list the rest I don't because I could care less.

I think you learn things you want to know.

I learned what a Maven is this summer. It is someone who knows a little about a lot of things. I was told I was one of those.

I know things because I watch, listen and read. I watch and listen far more than I read.

As for public or private I think that is a personal choice. I went to good public schools.

Also the comments made by people who immigrated here are really useless. I personally beleive if you think Americans are stupid then pack your bags and go back to your country.

NO WAY! Your ignorance is the reason why we're here... You don't know anything so you outsource everything so we come here (with our broken English and ethnic clothing), work a little, get rich and then we go back home

You don't go back home. You want to stay here forever... why do you think immigration reform is an issue?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I find this list and all the comments interesting at 230 in the morning.

I went to public school. I am under 30. While I know most of what is on the Op's list the rest I don't because I could care less.

I think you learn things you want to know.

I learned what a Maven is this summer. It is someone who knows a little about a lot of things. I was told I was one of those.

I know things because I watch, listen and read. I watch and listen far more than I read.

As for public or private I think that is a personal choice. I went to good public schools.

Also the comments made by people who immigrated here are really useless. I personally beleive if you think Americans are stupid then pack your bags and go back to your country.

NO WAY! Your ignorance is the reason why we're here... You don't know anything so you outsource everything so we come here (with our broken English and ethnic clothing), work a little, get rich and then we go back home

You don't go back home. You want to stay here forever... why do you think immigration reform is an issue?

Stay here forever? NO WAY!
I earn your dollars and go home to spend them where they are worth much much more
Also the beaches there are more beautiful, people are friendly and I love my family. Besides taking your money there's no reason for me to stay longer than I need to.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I find this list and all the comments interesting at 230 in the morning.

I went to public school. I am under 30. While I know most of what is on the Op's list the rest I don't because I could care less.

I think you learn things you want to know.

I learned what a Maven is this summer. It is someone who knows a little about a lot of things. I was told I was one of those.

I know things because I watch, listen and read. I watch and listen far more than I read.

As for public or private I think that is a personal choice. I went to good public schools.

Also the comments made by people who immigrated here are really useless. I personally beleive if you think Americans are stupid then pack your bags and go back to your country.

NO WAY! Your ignorance is the reason why we're here... You don't know anything so you outsource everything so we come here (with our broken English and ethnic clothing), work a little, get rich and then we go back home

You don't go back home. You want to stay here forever... why do you think immigration reform is an issue?

Stay here forever? NO WAY!
I earn your dollars and go home to spend them where they are worth much much more

Also the beaches there are more beautiful, people are friendly and I love my family. Besides taking your money there's no reason for me to stay longer than I need to.

I don't believe you're an immigrant. Troll. Good luck trying to stir things up. Adios, pinhead. Plus the value of the dollar sucks everywhere nowadays. Get a clue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I find this list and all the comments interesting at 230 in the morning.

I went to public school. I am under 30. While I know most of what is on the Op's list the rest I don't because I could care less.

I think you learn things you want to know.

I learned what a Maven is this summer. It is someone who knows a little about a lot of things. I was told I was one of those.

I know things because I watch, listen and read. I watch and listen far more than I read.

As for public or private I think that is a personal choice. I went to good public schools.

Also the comments made by people who immigrated here are really useless. I personally beleive if you think Americans are stupid then pack your bags and go back to your country.

NO WAY! Your ignorance is the reason why we're here... You don't know anything so you outsource everything so we come here (with our broken English and ethnic clothing), work a little, get rich and then we go back home

You don't go back home. You want to stay here forever... why do you think immigration reform is an issue?

Stay here forever? NO WAY!
I earn your dollars and go home to spend them where they are worth much much more

Also the beaches there are more beautiful, people are friendly and I love my family. Besides taking your money there's no reason for me to stay longer than I need to.

I don't believe you're an immigrant. Troll. Good luck trying to stir things up. Adios, pinhead. Plus the value of the dollar sucks everywhere nowadays. Get a clue.

I was just discussing with DH the "what would you do with 1 million dollars"...
He's from Asia, I'm from SA. In both countries we can easily pay for all our nephews/nieces college tuition and buy our parents and sibling houses.
Here in the US what can you do with that money? buy 2 houses, that's it...
YOU lady, get a clue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I find this list and all the comments interesting at 230 in the morning.

I went to public school. I am under 30. While I know most of what is on the Op's list the rest I don't because I could care less.

I think you learn things you want to know.

I learned what a Maven is this summer. It is someone who knows a little about a lot of things. I was told I was one of those.

I know things because I watch, listen and read. I watch and listen far more than I read.

As for public or private I think that is a personal choice. I went to good public schools.

Also the comments made by people who immigrated here are really useless. I personally beleive if you think Americans are stupid then pack your bags and go back to your country.

NO WAY! Your ignorance is the reason why we're here... You don't know anything so you outsource everything so we come here (with our broken English and ethnic clothing), work a little, get rich and then we go back home ;)

You don't go back home. You want to stay here forever... why do you think immigration reform is an issue?

Oh for the love of all thats Unholy! Can we PLEASE have one thread that doesn't degenerate into an immigration/other thorny political issue debate?

There's an entire forum for you two to go and snipe at each other to your little hearts' content.

To get us back on topic, here's something for the pp who didn't know all the state capitals:

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I find this list and all the comments interesting at 230 in the morning.

I went to public school. I am under 30. While I know most of what is on the Op's list the rest I don't because I could care less.

I think you learn things you want to know.

I learned what a Maven is this summer. It is someone who knows a little about a lot of things. I was told I was one of those.

I know things because I watch, listen and read. I watch and listen far more than I read.

As for public or private I think that is a personal choice. I went to good public schools.

Also the comments made by people who immigrated here are really useless. I personally beleive if you think Americans are stupid then pack your bags and go back to your country.

NO WAY! Your ignorance is the reason why we're here... You don't know anything so you outsource everything so we come here (with our broken English and ethnic clothing), work a little, get rich and then we go back home

You don't go back home. You want to stay here forever... why do you think immigration reform is an issue?

Stay here forever? NO WAY!
I earn your dollars and go home to spend them where they are worth much much more

Also the beaches there are more beautiful, people are friendly and I love my family. Besides taking your money there's no reason for me to stay longer than I need to.

I don't believe you're an immigrant. Troll. Good luck trying to stir things up. Adios, pinhead. Plus the value of the dollar sucks everywhere nowadays. Get a clue.

I was just discussing with DH the "what would you do with 1 million dollars"...
He's from Asia, I'm from SA. In both countries we can easily pay for all our nephews/nieces college tuition and buy our parents and sibling houses.
Here in the US what can you do with that money? buy 2 houses, that's it...
YOU lady, get a clue.

If you really miss your beautiful beaches, take a trip to Arizona. You'll be dumped back in your third world hellhole in no time.

[Anonymous]

I have noticed a trend on this forum: being racist is apparently gauche, but being anti-immigrants, or downright anti-foreigners, is desirable? We are here on work visas, like many PhDs and MDs I know, and come from developed countries where research funds are limited. Work brings us here, to cure cancer, invent algorithms, etc, and we enjoy or endure all the aspects of the American way of life. It is true that compared to British, French or German schools (I experienced all three), the US public system is sadly lacking. That is why there are the British School, the Lycee Rochambeau and the German school in the area, to serve the needs of expatriates like us.

Good for you, OP. Recognizing your weak points is half the battle.

I need a crash course in Geography. Living in so many countries has made me incapable of memorizing the names (and locations on a map) of my home country's sub regions and provincial towns.