this post was submitted on 07 Jul 2025
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Mildly Interesting
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These estimates are bananas, this only shows the systematic stupidification of Americans is highly successful.
It's called propaganda! Relentless, unceasing bombardment of right wing brain rotting propaganda.
Do explain...
Social Media
Also regular media.
~~There are some errors in the "correct" numbers For example, note that the respondents estimated that 89% of Americans have a high school diploma or higher. Yet the chart says the real figure is 65%. But doesn't that seem odd to you? Do you think on average 35% of people drop out of high school?~~
~~No, the source of this error is that the question is poorly worded. 90% of Americans 25 or older have a college degree. The graphic indicates the poll asked specifically about adults. And it seems the respondents had the correct answer, about 90%.~~
~~I don't know where they get the figure that only 65% of adults have a high school degree. My best estimate is that they mixed up "the percentage of adults with a high school degree" and "the percent of people with a high school degree." The latter would count all current K12 students, as they obviously don't have their diploma yet.~~
~~This is one item that really stood as an obvious and glaring error. And if I can see this one, I wonder if other numbers in either the 'correct' responses or the respondents' results are just due to poor or incorrect phrasing/interpretation of questions.~~
I have two master's degrees, have spent years teaching undergraduate engineering courses, am working on a dual-major PhD in engineering...and I...apparently...cannot read a plot.
The fact that you recognized your error and were able to immediately correct it, rather than double down on being wrong or some shit, implies that you're a somewhat intelligent person
Check the color of the dots, my friend. Red is the true value, blue is the survey participants’ estimate.
I'm a scientist! :D
Appreciate the skepticism regardless!
I find myself wondering how these figures have changed over time. Did we actually get worse, or have we always been this fucking ignorant?
I would estimate we are 25 percent worse.
25% worse over what time period?
the systematic stupidification of the 2000 Americans polled in this study*