dijous, de febrer 16, 2006
A Knowledge Gap Grips The Nation
Cincinnati, OH --- Most Americans here in the gateway to the Midwest, and across the nation alike, have grown up in a world where friends are constantly moving away only to be replaced by new friends, from other parts of the country. The idea that the country is split into regions culturally is slowly becoming antiquated as Americans find themselves far from the city they began the journey some call life. Along this flow of constant migration customs and values become intermingled until the amalgam is practically indistinguishable from coast to coast.
“I have to know at least 6 people who have moved away,” claims Jeremy Vaughn, a senior at Southern Kentucky University. Jeremy’s experience is not uncommon. Even in more backwoods areas like Arkansas and West Virginia people are branching out.
The old guard still remains in many places though. “When I was still young,” professes Claire Hankley, “the only people who had been around were the boys who’d enlisted; we didn’t even know what an area code was!” Although people like this long retired social worker from Manhattan, Kansas become rarer with every round Death makes, sociologists are paying more attention to them than ever.
A recent study completed by the Polytechnic University of Quad City (IA) claims a shift in “personal geography” as the root cause for the change in common interests among Americans. By tracing back what scholars are referring to as the
population’s “fascination bundle,” a clear trend has been discerned. The study states, as many field level researchers had been claiming, that the amount of time Americans spend discussing the weather has been increasing at an alarming rate.
Professor Thaddeus Hargg of PUQC elaborates on this paradigm shift, “more and more people across this great, great nation are finding themselves describing the current weather conditions they are experiencing to their friends. In fact most people in the 38 - 19 age range have adopted the belief that inquiring about climactical circumstances predicates, what they call, ‘keeping in touch’.” Adding further intrigue to the findings is the seamless rise of “weather” to the top of the national discourse. “Industrialization, globalization, and communication technology have worked together to cross pollinate the American psyche with the idea that gathering information about the weather will help them relate to the denizens of other climate regions,” explains Prof. Hargg.
“Yeah, I always ask my buddy, who just moved to Seattle, if he’s freezing his [reproductive organs] off,” says Mr. Vaughn. He, like many his age, uses the internet to stay in touch with many of his fraternity brothers whom have taken jobs in other parts of the country. Disarming, though, is the fact that the difference in average temperatures between Louisville, KY and Seattle, WA is not as drastic as Jeremy would have you believe (it’s the humidity). This weather ignorance is actually common among most American who have yet to move far from their “birth” home.
The research, which compiles over 70 years of the American interestedness lexicon, has raised some cause for concern as many have used the findings to point out that the interest gap between weather and winter apparel has increased exponentially for many Southerners who hardly travel. Many have pointed at the lack of ever using things that combat against cold weather as the reason for this. Others blame the President.
Across states like Florida people have completely forgotten about things such as heating systems, coats, and scarves for instance. Many former Floridians are finding the high level of ignorance downright annoying if not embarrassing. Keith Halpern, who grew up in Pompano Beach and now lives in Green Bay, WI, details the struggle, “They are always asking ‘how’s the cold treating you?’ or if I’m sick of ‘freezing my [reproductive organs] off.’ Cheese and rice! Don’t they know what a jacket is? It’s like they think I moved to the Aleutian Islands and reply to their e-mails from the chilly comfort of my igloo.”
While studies have shown that 98% of Florida has no idea what islands Keith is referring to, there is little doubt that Southerners, for the most part, have lost touch with the existence of a winter wardrobe. The idea that the northern areas of the country are brimming with buildings and heating systems is completely foreign.
If Jeremy Vaughn is any indication, the nation has a long way to go in bridging this “knowledge trench.” Upon probing the soon to be graduate about his perception of the North, Mr. Vaughn elaborated on the climate-culture difference by rhetorically asking, “that’s why they call them the blue states, don't they?”
Oh Go!! I was sooo one of those people that asks how cold it is...sorry for being so lame! LOL! Hope you're not freezing your .... off!
Alejandra =)
Publica un comentari a l'entrada
“I have to know at least 6 people who have moved away,” claims Jeremy Vaughn, a senior at Southern Kentucky University. Jeremy’s experience is not uncommon. Even in more backwoods areas like Arkansas and West Virginia people are branching out.
The old guard still remains in many places though. “When I was still young,” professes Claire Hankley, “the only people who had been around were the boys who’d enlisted; we didn’t even know what an area code was!” Although people like this long retired social worker from Manhattan, Kansas become rarer with every round Death makes, sociologists are paying more attention to them than ever.
A recent study completed by the Polytechnic University of Quad City (IA) claims a shift in “personal geography” as the root cause for the change in common interests among Americans. By tracing back what scholars are referring to as the
population’s “fascination bundle,” a clear trend has been discerned. The study states, as many field level researchers had been claiming, that the amount of time Americans spend discussing the weather has been increasing at an alarming rate.Professor Thaddeus Hargg of PUQC elaborates on this paradigm shift, “more and more people across this great, great nation are finding themselves describing the current weather conditions they are experiencing to their friends. In fact most people in the 38 - 19 age range have adopted the belief that inquiring about climactical circumstances predicates, what they call, ‘keeping in touch’.” Adding further intrigue to the findings is the seamless rise of “weather” to the top of the national discourse. “Industrialization, globalization, and communication technology have worked together to cross pollinate the American psyche with the idea that gathering information about the weather will help them relate to the denizens of other climate regions,” explains Prof. Hargg.
“Yeah, I always ask my buddy, who just moved to Seattle, if he’s freezing his [reproductive organs] off,” says Mr. Vaughn. He, like many his age, uses the internet to stay in touch with many of his fraternity brothers whom have taken jobs in other parts of the country. Disarming, though, is the fact that the difference in average temperatures between Louisville, KY and Seattle, WA is not as drastic as Jeremy would have you believe (it’s the humidity). This weather ignorance is actually common among most American who have yet to move far from their “birth” home.
The research, which compiles over 70 years of the American interestedness lexicon, has raised some cause for concern as many have used the findings to point out that the interest gap between weather and winter apparel has increased exponentially for many Southerners who hardly travel. Many have pointed at the lack of ever using things that combat against cold weather as the reason for this. Others blame the President.
Across states like Florida people have completely forgotten about things such as heating systems, coats, and scarves for instance. Many former Floridians are finding the high level of ignorance downright annoying if not embarrassing. Keith Halpern, who grew up in Pompano Beach and now lives in Green Bay, WI, details the struggle, “They are always asking ‘how’s the cold treating you?’ or if I’m sick of ‘freezing my [reproductive organs] off.’ Cheese and rice! Don’t they know what a jacket is? It’s like they think I moved to the Aleutian Islands and reply to their e-mails from the chilly comfort of my igloo.”
While studies have shown that 98% of Florida has no idea what islands Keith is referring to, there is little doubt that Southerners, for the most part, have lost touch with the existence of a winter wardrobe. The idea that the northern areas of the country are brimming with buildings and heating systems is completely foreign.
If Jeremy Vaughn is any indication, the nation has a long way to go in bridging this “knowledge trench.” Upon probing the soon to be graduate about his perception of the North, Mr. Vaughn elaborated on the climate-culture difference by rhetorically asking, “that’s why they call them the blue states, don't they?”
Oh Go!! I was sooo one of those people that asks how cold it is...sorry for being so lame! LOL! Hope you're not freezing your .... off!
Alejandra =)
Publica un comentari a l'entrada