Why We Are Doomed!
I got home from work today at about 8:30 pm and looked at my e-mail. I got an e-mail from Roger Brown with an attachment. It was a recording of a customer of Verizon who just could not get anyone in their customer service department who understood very basic mathematics. Though first amused, I quickly became incredulous. The customer was amazingly patient. The Verizon staff were no longer ignorant; they were stupid. I became very saddened but curious too. I did some research culminating in a less serious look at clips from You Tube. It is now about 3:30 am. I'm afraid I do that when I'm hungry, to learn something, but apparently that was not a food consumed by some of the people in the clips below. Many thanks to Roger for about 6 hours of enlightening entertainment and the title of this piece (the clip is not 6 hours).
Most of the people below will amaze you at how stupid they are. That being said, I have no doubt that the creators of the respective pieces below have edited them to maximize their effect. I'm sure many people did know the answers to most of the simple questions asked and were therefore excised from the final clip.
I was reluctant to do so but out of courtesy I have included the durations of each clip. I know that will help you decide how to manage your time but for others it may deter you. We are all busy. If you can not view the longer clips now consider taking the time later. A few clips are a quick insight to idiocy with little redeeming value Others provide considerable insight and so I encourage you to watch them. I have culled many down to these few. The "Stupid in America" one is very well done.
George vs. Verizon: This audio (only) clip contains a recording of a fella trying to resolve a billing issue with Verizon. His patience with Verizon's customer support staff is amazing. Keep listening, it gets better and better as the courtesy and telephone smile wanes. (22:44)
http://imgs.xkcd.com/verizon_billing.mp3
and if you like that try
Are Americans Stupid?: (9:06)
How much do Americans Know About Europe?: (1:04)
Americans are Not Stupid - Part 2 (2:10)
Dumb Blonde: Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader? (3:19)
(This girl was with Alpha Phi sorority at SDSU; a client of mine.)
Americans are (NOT) Stupid: (3:56)
Stupid in America 20/20: (40:45)
http://shrunklink.com/bxzq
If you watched the previous clip (and you should) despite having the poorest performance of any state, according to a national ratings system, the state superintendent of schools for South Carolina says she is proud of their performance. Here is one of her graduates.
Miss Teen USA 2007 - South Carolina Answers a Question: (0:48) The brain does not match the eye candy.
Dave out
