This is a clip of Miss Teen South Carolina Lauren Caitlin Upton, 18. She was asked the following question: Recent polls have shown a fifth of Americans can’t locate the U.S. on a world map. Why do you think this is?” Her response is priceless. Enjoy.
And just in case you missed some of that, here’s a convenient map of her topics. Click to enlarge.
It wasn’t a fair question. The contestant could have said: what are these polls that you are brining up? Are you sure that they are trustworthy sources? I haven’t read these polls and so I shouldn’t remark on them.
I moved to SC two years ago (Myrtle Beach) and can attest to the intelligence of the average youth here. The little girl in the contest was of average intelligence for this State.
She could probably quote the Bible page and verse but can’t find any place on a map. It’s not surprising to know that 2/3 of the natives of this State have never left it.
Brian, Your map is great, I’m going to print it out (with your permission) and staple it to all the power pole to help the locals.
I love the map
I’m sorry … I’m a bit late in commenting, but, I have been vacationing in Such As for the last few weeks [it truly is as beautiful as it sounds] and had to miss The Pageant this year. I did, however, catch the recap / therapy session with Matt & Ann(e?) on the Today show. There really was no need to inform us that The Today show is owned by the same parent company that shares ownership with Trump of The Pageant. The high five after the lame “do over” pretty well covered that.
Brian, would it be ok for me to redo your map in Illustrator for a CafePress shirt? I’m thinking all proceeds go to the National Geographic Society designated for the Education fund:
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/donate/education.html
As they say, “In a recent survey, the United States finished next to last out of nine countries, and about 11 percent of young U.S. citizens couldn’t locate their country on a map.”
-Choong
That map on a shirt would be hilarious. Feel free to remake it as you need, all I ask is that you include “www.morningtoast.com” at the bottom like on the graphic.
And let us know here if it actually makes it to t-shirt form…that’d be funny.
myspace…
myspace…
(typos in last reponse) There is one thing though, her choking aside… I don’t believe the statement proposed in the question is really true. The 1/5 of Americans includes adults according to the question. I know there are some folks that get aborbed in their own hometown USA mind set, but that 20% is plain ridiculous. Where did they take this poll, in an institution? I know there was a survey a few years back where US teens could not find England. Still pretty dumb, but not quite the same. I remember one response being… England?? Is that in California? Pretty funny actually. (Or maybe there is an England, CA. (Like London, Ohio :) Ask 5 adults of various vocation that are acquaintences and see if they know where to find the lower 48? Come on, do you really think even one couldn’t do it…? The question is void. Alas, I’m glad she answered the way she did or I may never have encountered her exquisite beauty.
Are you implying that the questions used on the Miss Teen USA pageant might not have been well researched?
G+
Bongo,
The logic you use in suggesting that religion and its promotion of modesty as having a negative effect on a woman’s view of herself is as mucked up as Miss South Carolina’s answer.
Find the women who complain they’re objectified, and those will typically be the women who dress immodestly.
I believe as a US American…
Why do they even let them talk? This competition is obviously not about intelligence. There is no need to let them open there mouth! It’s all about who is the prettiest to look at!
such as…