The Ignorance Test (Gapminder)

Leifer

Senior Member.
http://www.gapminder.org/ignorance/


Why is there so much ignorance?
Statistical facts don’t come to people naturally. Quite the opposite. Most people understand the world by generalizing personal experiences which are very biased. In the media the “news-worthy” events exaggerate the unusual and put the focus on swift changes. Slow and steady changes in major trends don’t get much attention. Unintentionally, people end-up carrying around a sack of outdated facts that you got in school (including knowledge that often was outdated when acquired in school).
Content from External Source
TAKE THE TEST here (link)


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USA results:
http://www.gapminder.org/GapminderMedia/wp-uploads/Results-from-the-Ignorance-Survey-in-the-US..pdf

Britain:
http://www.gapminder.org/news/highlights-from-ignorance-survey-in-the-uk/
 
http://www.gapminder.org/ignorance/


Why is there so much ignorance?
Statistical facts don’t come to people naturally. Quite the opposite. Most people understand the world by generalizing personal experiences which are very biased. In the media the “news-worthy” events exaggerate the unusual and put the focus on swift changes. Slow and steady changes in major trends don’t get much attention. Unintentionally, people end-up carrying around a sack of outdated facts that you got in school (including knowledge that often was outdated when acquired in school).
Content from External Source
TAKE THE TEST here (link)


~~~~

USA results:
http://www.gapminder.org/GapminderMedia/wp-uploads/Results-from-the-Ignorance-Survey-in-the-US..pdf

Britain:
http://www.gapminder.org/news/highlights-from-ignorance-survey-in-the-uk/
7 out of 10 - I need to either read more or think things out a little more thoroughly before answering. Missed Life Expectancy, Women's Education and Income Distribution.
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I only got 4/10. :( I think the answers were a bit close together, and the statistics they chose are not ones that I think about numerically, so I did not have a good sense of the numbers.
 
I only got 4/10. :( I think the answers were a bit close together, and the statistics they chose are not ones that I think about numerically, so I did not have a good sense of the numbers.
I think the West has a skewed view of some of the topics because we are constantly seeing and hearing messages from special interest groups showing us how bad things are in the rest of the world. From what I have seen on TV I believed the global education disparity between men and women is far greater than what it is in reality and the medical situation much more dire.
 
I think the West has a skewed view of some of the topics because we are constantly seeing and hearing messages from special interest groups showing us how bad things are in the rest of the world. From what I have seen on TV I believed the global education disparity between men and women is far greater than what it is in reality and the medical situation much more dire.

This.

Once I overcame my tendency to assume the worst (got first three answers wrong), I answered the remaining questions as optimistically as possible and got 6/10.
 
Once I overcame my tendency to assume the worst ...

Same here. I ended up with a 6/10 but I attribute that to erring on the side of optimism in some of the questions. I believe a 3 or 4 is more representative of my apparent dismal outlook on the world.

I would never have guessed that world wide average life expectancy is 70, nor that extreme poverty has been cut in half. I wonder at the accuracy of the statistics in the quiz.
 
2 out of ten. But, is the lack of memory of very specific facts really a test of ignorance? I'd rather be well versed in the subjects that I enjoy and actually have an affect on my life, and have the knowledge to be able look up the specific facts and, or be able to question the areas that I am ignorant in, if and when it becomes important.
 
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Same here. I ended up with a 6/10 but I attribute that to erring on the side of optimism in some of the questions. I believe a 3 or 4 is more representative of my apparent dismal outlook on the world.

I would never have guessed that world wide average life expectancy is 70, nor that extreme poverty has been cut in half. I wonder at the accuracy of the statistics in the quiz.
From what I've been able to check they seem to be fairly accurate.
 
From what I've been able to check they seem to be fairly accurate.

So the bad news is that I'm somewhat ignorant as to the state of the world. The good news is that the world's in better shape than I though.

You know... I'm OK with that. I leave this thread a little more knowledgeable than I entered it.
 
I got 5/10...once I figured out that what I thought the answer was-wasn't...and (what seemed to me) the least likely- was...
 
I dont see any reason anyone would know without guessing . Seemed like Globalist Propaganda . I got 5 out of ten but they were all guesses . I couldnt see ant reason the average person to know any of this tripe . What a waste of time, research , and money . I cant believe that someone would get paid for crap like that ? scare tactics .
 
I dont see any reason anyone would know without guessing . Seemed like Globalist Propaganda . I got 5 out of ten but they were all guesses . I couldnt see ant reason the average person to know any of this tripe . What a waste of time, research , and money . I cant believe that someone would get paid for crap like that ? scare tactics .
What in that survey could possibly be construed as "scare tactics"? If anything most people seem to be finding out that the world is better off than they thought. It's also not tripe since all the questions relate to topics that influence global politics: population growth and distribution, income levels, education, infectious disease, etc.
 
What in that survey could possibly be construed as "scare tactics"? If anything most people seem to be finding out that the world is better off than they thought. It's also not tripe since all the questions relate to topics that influence global politics: population growth and distribution, income levels, education, infectious disease, etc.
Bill how much horsepower did a 1968 mustang 390 4 barrel carburetor have ? If you dont know the answer you must be ignorant to the world around you . It was globalist propaganda . I was shocked the average lifespan world wide was 70 but really whats the point ? we all know which country have the highest populations and which are wealthy but exact numbers ? Worthless information . how many children do UN experts expect in 2100 ? Experts and the UN ? LOL !
 
Bill how much horsepower did a 1968 mustang 390 4 barrel carburetor have ? If you dont know the answer you must be ignorant to the world around you . It was globalist propaganda . I was shocked the average lifespan world wide was 70 but really whats the point ? we all know which country have the highest populations and which are wealthy but exact numbers ? Worthless information . how many children do UN experts expect in 2100 ? Experts and the UN ? LOL !

But the roughly 1hp/c.i.d., IIRC, of a stock Ford 390 has nothing at all to do with the human condition such as poverty, women's education, life expectancy, population density and other indicators of quality of life in that survey. What percentage of the human population comprises fans/owners of or those whose quality of life is measured in American muscle cars? My senior year in high school I did a performance rebuild of the motor and transmission in my first car, a '70 Skylark with a 4bbl 350cid, and got well over 400hp out of it, an increase of more than 120hp over stock. Now that really is worthless information. Does that matter a hill of beans to the state of society? Did any of that help me get 8/10 right? no...

But then again, knowledge is power.

Maybe you're just acting out over the thought that those evil "globalist" programs might actually be helping to improve quality of life on this planet.
 
Bill how much horsepower did a 1968 mustang 390 4 barrel carburetor have ? If you dont know the answer you must be ignorant to the world around you . It was globalist propaganda . I was shocked the average lifespan world wide was 70 but really whats the point ? we all know which country have the highest populations and which are wealthy but exact numbers ? Worthless information . how many children do UN experts expect in 2100 ? Experts and the UN ? LOL !
If you are talking about the 390 c.i. V-8, I believe it was rated at 325 hp, the 427 with the Holley carb was rated at 390 hp. That's a fairly lame diversion and these topics are no where as specific as your example. Rather than complain about the composition of the survey you could take your lack of proficiency in these areas as an opportunity to expand your knowledge. Blaming the survey and dismissing it as propaganda is as bad as people blaming their poor SAT scores on racial bias.

edit:
As an aside I was always fond of Frank Bullitt's car - the 1968 Mustang 390 GT 2+2 Fastback.
 
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If you are talking about the 390 c.i. V-8, I believe it was rated at 325 hp, the 427 with the Holley carb was rated at 390 hp. That's a fairly lame diversion and these topics are no where as specific as your example. Rather than complain about the composition of the survey you could take your lack of proficiency in these areas as an opportunity to expand your knowledge. Blaming the survey and dismissing it as propaganda is as bad as people blaming their poor SAT scores on racial bias.

edit:
As an aside I was always fond of Frank Bullitt's car - the 1968 Mustang 390 GT 2+2 Fastback.
Ill agree I learned something but the title
The Ignorance Test
is stupid . There is so much to know and i find statistics misleading and boring , Exact numbers are pointless . I have 2 bullets to restore . 1 is highland green 390 4spd just as in the movie . It was used for target practice in Oklahoma so its also was loaded with bullet holes . The other is Acapulco blue 390 4spd . There are somethings Id rather not take the time to learn those statistics were 1 .
 
But the roughly 1hp/c.i.d., IIRC, of a stock Ford 390 has nothing at all to do with the human condition such as poverty, women's education, life expectancy, population density and other indicators of quality of life in that survey. What percentage of the human population comprises fans/owners of or those whose quality of life is measured in American muscle cars? My senior year in high school I did a performance rebuild of the motor and transmission in my first car, a '70 Skylark with a 4bbl 350cid, and got well over 400hp out of it, an increase of more than 120hp over stock. Now that really is worthless information. Does that matter a hill of beans to the state of society? Did any of that help me get 8/10 right? no...

But then again, knowledge is power.

Maybe you're just acting out over the thought that those evil "globalist" programs might actually be helping to improve quality of life on this planet.
Yea improve the quality of life. Thats funny :) worthless info ? no not at all . You can rebuild a engine but you can not change the world .
 
Ill agree I learned something but the title
The Ignorance Test
is stupid . There is so much to know and i find statistics misleading and boring , Exact numbers are pointless . I have 2 bullets to restore . 1 is highland green 390 4spd just as in the movie . It was used for target practice in Oklahoma so its also was loaded with bullet holes . The other is Acapulco blue 390 4spd . There are somethings Id rather not take the time to learn those statistics were 1 .
Have fun with the cars. I'm not allowed to do things like that anymore so I spend a lot of time reading. :) It's safe to say I'm envious.
 
Well how much horsepower ?

I don't know, but I would like to know. I'll guess 400 hp.

The more knowledge a person has, the better equipped they are to make informed decisions, and the more informed and valuable their opinions become to others. If I don't know the the output of an obscure carb then I'm ignorant about vintage cars. If I don't know that poverty has been halved and overall life expectancy has increased then I'm ignorant about some very basic facts about the current world we live in. IMO, not something to aspire to.

Which of those subjects is more relevant will depend on who you ask. When commenting on the UN, globalists and international banksters which is more relevant, knowing the horsepower of a 1968 mustang 390 4 barrel carburetor, or knowing the general state of the world?
 
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I assume you are only referring to yourself.
How can you change the world ? We cant even change our own country . I was using cars as a example . There is a lot of things to know about the world but every question in that so called ignorace test wouldnt do a dam thing to change the world , in my opinion I rather know about more other cultures than how many or what their education level is .

What is the Life expectancy of the world population?

A. 50 years
B. 60 years
C. 70 years

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Ok something I didnt know , id thought it would be much lower , But should the fact that I didnt know make me ignorant but now Im not all of a sudden because now I know ? how does knowing that help anyone ? Its like in history they spend more time on when something happened compared to why it happened . I wouldnt expect most people to know anything about cars even though most people own them and cant fix them . That would be knowledge most can use . I will never use the knowledge I gained from taking that test . So many things to know so little time why waste it on crap .
 
I can't take the test the image link won't display on my IPhone . . . sounds interesting though . . . seems the "developing " world is much further along than we assume as is the homogenization of world culture . . . one reason for the cultural blowback from the fundamental religious and traditional groups!! Such rapid change always brings trauma, anger, protests and violence from those threatened by the loss or perceived loss of their status and power base. . . a good Thread might be "Is our world about to implode or transform?" . . . conspiracy advocates invariably choose the former . . .
 
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Ok something I didnt know , id thought it would be much lower , But should the fact that I didnt know make me ignorant but now Im not all of a sudden because now I know ? how does knowing that help anyone ? Its like in history they spend more time on when something happened compared to why it happened . I wouldnt expect most people to know anything about cars even though most people own them and cant fix them . That would be knowledge most can use . I will never use the knowledge I gained from taking that test . So many things to know so little time why waste it on crap .


Do you think this is some sort of elitist test that is insulting you by calling you ignorant?

Ignorance is the state of not knowing things. This test apparently demonstrates stuff about the world that most don't know, that's all. It's not insulting you.
 
I got 4 but only because the title psyched me out so I was not answering my preconceived notions. I would have gotten a 7. ; (

on an upnote I found my first conspiracy theory to believe in! its bunk the life expectancy worldwide is 70. the WHO is just scamming us so they can raise the retirement age without us all fussing.

from the huffington post:
"The global life expectancy has increased from 64 years in 1990 to 70 years in 2011. That's dramatic," Colin Mathers, coordinator for mortality and burden of disease at the WHO, said as the organisation launched its annual world health statistics report.
"That's an average increase in life expectancy of 8 hours a day over the last 20 years."


what the heck does that mean? ( I guess I am ignorant). we added 8 hours a day over the last 20 years? who thinks like that?
 
Do you think this is some sort of elitist test that is insulting you by calling you ignorant?

Ignorance is the state of not knowing things. This test apparently demonstrates stuff about the world that most don't know, that's all. It's not insulting you.
I didnt say it was insulting to me . I get plenty of that from you guys , Its insulting however to categorize those who dont know the answers to this quiz as ignorant . who decides what someone should and should not know . I said it was a waste of my time to take the quiz even though I learned something that makes no difference to me . Even if I answered all of them correctly I still think the same . So do you feel much more intelligent because of a few statistical so called facts ? It figures CNN would post that crap . My opinion is mine to keep. Get over it . You like it great for you . Whatever floats your boat .
 
I got 4 but only because the title psyched me out so I was not answering my preconceived notions. I would have gotten a 7. ; (

on an upnote I found my first conspiracy theory to believe in! its bunk the life expectancy worldwide is 70. the WHO is just scamming us so they can raise the retirement age without us all fussing.

from the huffington post:
"The global life expectancy has increased from 64 years in 1990 to 70 years in 2011. That's dramatic," Colin Mathers, coordinator for mortality and burden of disease at the WHO, said as the organisation launched its annual world health statistics report.
"That's an average increase in life expectancy of 8 hours a day over the last 20 years."


what the heck does that mean? ( I guess I am ignorant). we added 8 hours a day over the last 20 years? who thinks like that?
Somebody that gets paid to think like that . Some globalist egg head :)
 
I can't take the test the image link won't display on my IPhone . . . sounds interesting though . . . seems the "developing " world is much further along than we assume as is the homogenization of world culture . . . one reason for the cultural blowback from the fundamental religious and traditional groups!! Such rapid change always brings trauma, anger, protests and violence from those threatened by the loss or perceived loss of their status and power base. . . a good Thread might be "Is our world about to implode or transform?" . . . conspiracy advocates invariably choose the former . . .
Implode then transform as planned .
 
Do you think this is some sort of elitist test that is insulting you by calling you ignorant?

Ignorance is the state of not knowing things. This test apparently demonstrates stuff about the world that most don't know, that's all. It's not insulting you.

just because its insulting most of us en masse, doesn't mean it isn't insulting me too. But it certainly isn't an elitist test.
 
To be ignorant is not an insult it's a state - we are all ignorant of something, this test chose to highlight certain things we are ignorant about.
Its insulting however to categorize those who dont know the answers to this quiz as ignorant .
That's the f** definiton of ignorance! Not knowing the answers. It's not some liberal guilt plot like you imagine.
It's just supposed to make you go, 'hmm, not what I thought.'
 
To be ignorant is not an insult it's a state - we are all ignorant of something, this test chose to highlight certain things we are ignorant about.

That's the f** definiton of ignorance! Not knowing the answers. It's not some liberal guilt plot like you imagine.
It's just supposed to make you go, 'hmm, not what I thought.'
then maybe they should have titled it "things you didnt know you didn't know" . lol I almost said "But it certainly isn't an elitist test. sounds like typical liberal dung to me" glad now I didn't ; )
 
I got 4 but only because the title psyched me out so I was not answering my preconceived notions. I would have gotten a 7. ; (

on an upnote I found my first conspiracy theory to believe in! its bunk the life expectancy worldwide is 70. the WHO is just scamming us so they can raise the retirement age without us all fussing.

from the huffington post:
"The global life expectancy has increased from 64 years in 1990 to 70 years in 2011. That's dramatic," Colin Mathers, coordinator for mortality and burden of disease at the WHO, said as the organisation launched its annual world health statistics report.
"That's an average increase in life expectancy of 8 hours a day over the last 20 years."


what the heck does that mean? ( I guess I am ignorant). we added 8 hours a day over the last 20 years? who thinks like that?
That's not the way average life expectancy works. One of the major factors driving life expectancy down is childhood mortality. By reducing the extreme poverty levels and increasing the availability of immunization and healthcare to children you increase the odds of those children reaching maturity and living to a ripe old age.
 
To be ignorant is not an insult it's a state - we are all ignorant of something, this test chose to highlight certain things we are ignorant about.

That's the f** definiton of ignorance! Not knowing the answers. It's not some liberal guilt plot like you imagine.
It's just supposed to make you go, 'hmm, not what I thought.'
Its to make one feel guilty on how ones lives compared to the rest of the world so they can redistribute wealth . So yes its liberal tripe and globalist propaganda . IMO of course :)
 
Its to make one feel guilty on how ones lives compared to the rest of the world so they can redistribute wealth . So yes its liberal tripe and globalist propaganda . IMO of course :)
Most people learned that the world is not as bad off as they thought. Wouldn't that translate as less guilt and less need for income distribution?
 
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