I was reading an article in the LA Times by Joel Stein, and it piqued my interest. His article entitled “Are Americans Getting Dumber?”, poses a few questions to make one think about the knowledge we all have gained and lost over the years of our life.

Barring things like accidents, injuries, diseases, and old age, which may inherently cause one to ‘forget’ things, the question and title spark thought about what has happened to the information we’ve learned since birth. Has it gone somewhere?

I am reminded of a day when I was watching Jeopardy with my oldest daughter some time ago, and the answer was “Previous Name of Istanbul” – I couldn’t believe it. Somehow, the drilling that Sister Gail gave me once upon a yesteryear finally came in handy, and I shouted CONSTANTINOPLE!  (She said I would need to know it one day, and she was right.) I can’t think of a time since then that I needed to know that, but I guess if maybe I was running for Vice President or something I’d use that knowledge more often.

I can sympathize with Stein’s inability to remember that water boils at 212 degrees (although I had to smile when I read that part), because I can think of a gazillion things that I can’t remember – like the repeating digits of Pi. I know its 3.14 something but for the life of me I can’t remember the rest of the numbers and I know it was posted in my 7th grade math class for the entire year and I saw it every day. I used to know it, but today I just can’t muster the answer. What makes it even worse is that I remember having to write a report on Pi and I got a “B” on it. How can I remember that and not remember the stupid number?

In Stein’s article, he references a book called “How Dumb Are You: The Great American Stupidity Quiz” by Adam Winer. I couldn’t resist the urge. I get to the site, and immediately click on the sample questions. According to the IQ Test I took online not long ago, I’m ranking at around 130 so I thought I’d do ok.

First question: Which President is on the face of a dime? UGH. I never was good at remembering presidents. Heck, I can barely remember anybody beyond Carter, except for Washington, Roosevelt, Jefferson, Madison, and Kennedy – off the top of my head. So I guessed Roosevelt. Sheesh! I feel really dumb for having to guess at the first question, but whatever. (I got it right.)

Next question: Name a Charlie Chaplin film. Double UGH. I really don’t know this one even though I love movies. I never liked silent films, and I don’t think I ever knew the name of any of his films anyway. PASS.

Next: Multiplying Fractions. Now we’re talkin’. I love math. Numbers and I go well together, and have always been my strong suit. This one I’m going to get right. (and I did)

Next: The Capital of Canada. I went to Canada with my French class in high school. This one I definitely know. (Yep. I got it right.)

Three out of four isn’t too bad, but 75% doesn’t sit well with me.
Now I have to get the book because the suspense is too much to bear.

Hope you’ll check it out too!

- CC