Is it fair to compare knowledge of the Simpsons with knowledge of the Constitution?

[xom3gawave]

Yesterday, in my Native American studies elective, we were discussing different articles of the constitution and how they applied to native americans' ownership of the land during the 1700s and 1800s.

Anyways, our teacher was asking us a ton of questions about the Constitution that no one knew the answer to. And then started asking us questions about the Simpsons (TV show). He thought it was ridiculous that we knew so much about the Simpsons and so little about the Constitution. I was with the majority of the rest of the class...not knowing most of the answers to questions about the Constitution.

Is it fair to compare the Simpsons with the Constitution? I mean, personally, I think its important that an American should generally know about the Constitution, but not have it memorized (which is what our teacher was looking for...). As result, I've decided to read up on it and familiarize myself.

 

[Vette73]

Depends on the questions and also what grade level?


If HS or above then yea you should know at least the basic bill of rights and amendments.
That way when you get arrested you will not be the idiot on COPS screaming "I have rights..." and then saying stuff that does not make sense.

 

[Genx87]

Originally posted by: Marlin1975
Depends on the questions and also what grade level?


If HS or above then yea you should know at least the basic bill of rights and amendments.
That way when you get arrested you will not be the idiot on COPS screaming "I have rights..." and then saying stuff that does not make sense.

Heh have you ever seen the youtube video of a group of people who dressed in blue then walked into a best buy? People though they worked there. The store manager called the cops and then said these people violated her constitutional rights to the cops when they showed up. They got it on camera. Funny video for the most part. But pathetically sad she believed people wearing blue shirts in her store violated the constitution.

 

[fskimospy]

Knowledge of the Simpsons will likely have more impact on your life than knowledge of the Constitution, outside of a few choice amendments. From a purely utilitarian perspective you might very well be spending your time more wisely studying Simpsons episodes.

 

[dullard]

Strive for a balance.

I'd hate to be the person who knew every letter and every punctuation mark in a historical document but couldn't have a conversation with a live person since he doesn't know a thing about pop culture.

Similarly, if you know the favorite food of Miley Cyrus's best friend's dog yet you don't know at what age you can legally vote for president (hint it is the age of 17 in certain circumstances and 18 normally), then you've wasted your life as well.

 

[spidey07]

They rarely teach The Constitution in public schools so how else would students know anything about it unless they read on their own (god forbid)?

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: spidey07
They rarely teach The Constitution in public schools so how else would students know anything about it unless they read on their own (god forbid)?

Maybe the schools you went to, but we went over that in several grades and even had to remember the Preamble.

Of course maybe all those dirty muslims, athiest, and gays were messing things up and trying to destroy america. Right spidy?

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: Marlin1975

Originally posted by: spidey07
They rarely teach The Constitution in public schools so how else would students know anything about it unless they read on their own (god forbid)?

Maybe the schools you went to, but we went over that in several grades and even had to remember the Preamble.

Of course maybe all those dirty muslims, athiest, and gays were messing things up and trying to destroy america. Right spidy?

We did to. But I've seen polls about how many students have read or were required to read the Constitution recently and they were abysmally low. Then again I didn't go to public school.

 

[QuantumPion]

I remember learning about the constitution in elementary and middle school when I was too young to really intellectually understand or appreciate it. It was never really covered in depth in high school.

 

[Fern]

Originally posted by: om3gawave
Yesterday, in my Native American studies elective, we were discussing different articles of the constitution and how they applied to native americans' ownership of the land during the 1700s and 1800s.
-snip-

That's a bit arcane.

Unless you're a Native American I have trouble seeing how their land rights apply to you.

I'm inclined to agree with Eskimospy that the Simpsons is more relevent.

Had the discussion been about the 1st, 2nd, 4th etc I'd feel differently, but land rights for NA's?

Fern

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: Fern

Originally posted by: om3gawave
Yesterday, in my Native American studies elective, we were discussing different articles of the constitution and how they applied to native americans' ownership of the land during the 1700s and 1800s.
-snip-

That's a bit arcane.

Unless you're a Native American I have trouble seeing how their land rights apply to you.

I'm inclined to agree with Eskimospy that the Simpsons is more relevent.

Had the discussion been about the 1st, 2nd, 4th etc I'd feel differently, but land rights for NA's?

Fern

Really? Thats your answer. This ia a " Native American studies " class. You don;t think they should talk about Native Americans in a " Native American studies " class.

 

[Fern]

Originally posted by: Marlin1975

Originally posted by: Fern

Originally posted by: om3gawave
Yesterday, in my Native American studies elective, we were discussing different articles of the constitution and how they applied to native americans' ownership of the land during the 1700s and 1800s.
-snip-

That's a bit arcane.

Unless you're a Native American I have trouble seeing how their land rights apply to you.

I'm inclined to agree with Eskimospy that the Simpsons is more relevent.

Had the discussion been about the 1st, 2nd, 4th etc I'd feel differently, but land rights for NA's?

Fern

Really? Thats your answer. This ia a " Native American studies " class. You don;t think they should talk about Native Americans in a " Native American studies " class.

Hahah, good point (I missed that bit)

Fern

 

[monovillage]

Sounds like you have a good instructor. Any US citizen who isn't familiar with the Constitution is an idiot and a waste of breath. The only reason anyone wants US citizens to be ignorant of the Constitution is so they can rape it without too much opposition.

 

[Schmide]

You should of got up and yelled "Not everyone can be a Lisa Simpson, some of us have to be Barts and Homers" Then stormed out of the room crying.

 

[mugs]

What questions was he asking?

 

[xom3gawave]

About the Simpsons?

"What town do they live in..."
"How many dids do the parents have..."
"Who are the parents..."

And so on.

About the Constitution?

"What Article discusses our judical system?"
"What are the powers of Congress?"
"What does the Constitution say about new states?"

And then he would say "Blah blah...you know all this Simpsons but nothing about the Constitution" and then just shake his head.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: om3gawave
About the Simpsons?

"What town do they live in..."
"How many dids do the parents have..."
"Who are the parents..."

And so on.

About the Constitution?

"What Article discusses our judical system?"
"What are the powers of Congress?"
"What does the Constitution say about new states?"

And then he would say "Blah blah...you know all this Simpsons but nothing about the Constitution" and then just shake his head.

Well maybe he can spend a week or two going over the basics. Maybe suggest it? Or make reading it a homework assignment? It's short.

 

[AyashiKaibutsu]

Originally posted by: Marlin1975

Originally posted by: Fern

Originally posted by: om3gawave
Yesterday, in my Native American studies elective, we were discussing different articles of the constitution and how they applied to native americans' ownership of the land during the 1700s and 1800s.
-snip-

That's a bit arcane.

Unless you're a Native American I have trouble seeing how their land rights apply to you.

I'm inclined to agree with Eskimospy that the Simpsons is more relevent.

Had the discussion been about the 1st, 2nd, 4th etc I'd feel differently, but land rights for NA's?

Fern

Really? Thats your answer. This ia a " Native American studies " class. You don;t think they should talk about Native Americans in a " Native American studies " class.

Only the parts of native americanism that pertain to the simpsons.

 

[fskimospy]

Originally posted by: om3gawave
About the Simpsons?

"What town do they live in..."
"How many dids do the parents have..."
"Who are the parents..."

And so on.

About the Constitution?

"What Article discusses our judical system?"
"What are the powers of Congress?"
"What does the Constitution say about new states?"

And then he would say "Blah blah...you know all this Simpsons but nothing about the Constitution" and then just shake his head.

That's stupid. The only one of those questions that is relevant is the one that asks the powers of Congress. Who cares if you know what article the judiciary is formed under if you know what it does? Double who cares if you know how the Constitution deals with newly formed states. If you've got a territory that you're looking to incorporate in the US, maybe you should know it, otherwise I think you've got better things to do with your time.

 

[KB]

The questions he asked weren't comparable. The simpsons questions were easy recall questions while the constitution questions required a more thorough study.

Here are some questions in equal comparison of difficulty:
"What Article discusses our judicial system?" = "In which episode (number and name) did Apu have children?"
"What are the powers of Congress?" = "What are all of the characters voiced by Phil Hartman?"
"What does the Constitution say about new states?" = "What did Homer say about Flanders in episode 100?"


"What town do they live in..." = "In what town was the constitution written?"
"How many kids do the parents have..." = "How many amendments are in the Bill of Rights."
"Who are the parents..." = "Who is guaranteed rights from the first amendment?"

If he asked these questions I am certain he would find a similar level of knowledge of the simpsons and the constitution.

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: KB
The questions he asked weren't comparable. The simpsons questions were easy recall questions while the constitution questions required a more thorough study.

Here are some questions in equal comparison of difficulty:
"What Article discusses our judicial system?" = "In which episode (number and name) did Apu have children?"
"What are the powers of Congress?" = "What are all of the characters voiced by Phil Hartman?"
"What does the Constitution say about new states?" = "What did Homer say about Flanders in episode 100?"


"What town do they live in..." = "In what town was the constitution written?"
"How many kids do the parents have..." = "How many amendments are in the Bill of Rights."
"Who are the parents..." = "Who is guaranteed rights from the first amendment?"

If he asked these questions I am certain he would find a similar level of knowledge of the simpsons and the constitution.

I be willing to bet most could not even get all of the 1st amendment right. Let alone how many amendments are in the bill of rights.

 

[swinger222]

Well, you certainly don't have to know the entire thing to the letter. But all Americans should at least know what the federal government can do (expressed powers) and their own basic constitutional rights. But it really does depend on your age. I mean, you should definitely know this stuff by voting age.

 

[Infohawk]

Strive to know it all.

 

[ModerateRepZero]

Originally posted by: swinger222
Well, you certainly don't have to know the entire thing to the letter. But all Americans should at least know what the federal government can do (expressed powers) and their own basic constitutional rights. But it really does depend on your age. I mean, you should definitely know this stuff by voting age.

:thumbsup:

Any American citizen ought to have a basic knowledge of government and their rights as a citizen, otherwise how could one exercise their rights (ie vote) responsibly?

And the point of comparing Simpsons with the Constitution is to see if people care more about entertainment than basic knowledge. No, you don't need to know calculus, law of thermodynamics, or Duverger's Law, but you ought to know basic addition/subtraction/multiplication/division, hot/cold changes (ie condensation, hot air rising), and the basic American election system.

 

[GoPackGo]

But do people know the Constitution, the amendments and the 200+ years of interpretation and case law that go with it?