Graded Assignment #4

From the moment we wake up, we are bombarded with technology. Televisions, Radios, Laptops, and cell phones keep individuals constantly connected with the world around them. Using these tools, information about what is going on in the nation and world can be read minutes after events occur. Despite this fact, people are still no better informed about current events than they were twenty years ago, according to the article entitled “Public Knowledge of Current Affairs Little Changed by News and Information Revolutions.”
When measuring the number of people who know world leaders’ names, details of major global events, and other news items, they discovered some interesting facts about which groups are actively viewing the news and retaining the information given there. First, there are more men than women watching the news. Second, older generations are more likely to be interested in politics and world events than young people. Lastly, the amount of education a person has is very influential on the amount of knowledge a person possesses about news events. For example, 63 percent of those who attended college are considered to be in the “high knowledge” group.
Why aren’t people interested? Our borders are shrinking, and Americans are becoming personally connected with issues all over the world. What kind of difference can be made if people do not know what is going on in the world around them? It should not matter whether you are male or female, old or young, or black or white. Every individual should see it as their personal responsibility to be well informed and to try and bring change where they live. Many people are dissatisfied with the way the American government is handling certain issues or the way we are interacting with other nations. If only a few people are interested and involved, how can anything be fixed? Forget “information revolutions,” we need an interest revolution. People should stop being so interested in Hollywood romances and start caring about issues that matter!