To wonder why people are still so woefully misinformed?

[Lucia39]

We now have access to more information than any previous generation. An entire reference library is available at the click of a mouse, public libraries were still free last time I checked, and general reference books are readily available and comparatively cheap.

Why then is the apparent standard of general knowledge and informed opinion amongst many people in Britain [especially the younger generations] so abysmal?

God imagine if she was.

< joins queue for the ant talk >

It wasn't a very stimulating OP though was it?

You gave an opinion, but provided us with no facts upon which you have based said opinion, which leaves the whole discussion rather vague and pointless.

What you consider to be an abysmal standard of general knowledge and informed opinion may well be wholly acceptable to another but without examples how can we determine if YABU or not?

Where's the actual debate? It comes across as yet another deliberately provocative thread, though thankfully you haven't started on the whole [quote] [end quote] thing yet.

"Why then do threads that deal with anything remotely controverial [sic] or thought-provoking end up in slanging matches, name calling, and other puerilities?"

Well, mostly they don't, Lucia - you may be thinking this because the 'thought-provoking' threads that you have started have mostly ended up like that way.

But that's because your titles and posts are usually aggressive and patronising in both tone and content. To put it bluntly, you piss people off right from the start, so it's hardly surprising that you get a slanging match.

One of the joys of Mumsnet is the threads you get that mix the serious and the bizarre in equal proportions - the 'religious biscuits' threads springs to mind - but it's ridiculous to suggest that all serious discussions end in slanging matches.
Have you ever actually read the Reluctant Worshippers series?

did someone mention sandwiches.

you put what I was trying to say only better Fourthingsandalizard

Oooh we've got a few takers maki...

Tell DH to get his best moustace wax out, and best open another jar of potted meat. Maybe we should cut the crusts off the sandwiches? Something to think about...

I wonder if Frank Lucia will be coming? Or maybe interdimensional ants are a bit beyond her ken...

what on earth are you talking about OP? do you have any examples?

And it is of course typical that in a post where I rather snidely picked up on a typo in the passage I quoted, I made a typo myself "mostly ended up like that way." should of course read "mostly ended up that way."

But at least I didn't use Quote/End Quote....

Crikey, for such a crowd I'll dust off his fossils - he's been on at me about it for weeks. And there's a pot of gentlemen's relish in the fridge that's still going strong.

But if Lucia turns out to be some foxy chick after anything more than my husband's grey matter her carriage will be well and truly called.

Kutner are you Kutner from House?

Yes the ant thing sounds intriguing (though sounds like it means we can never possibly understand the universe? Doesn't look like I'll get out of doing the washing up)

I'm off to bed ladies, got to get a good nights sleep, got a lot of sandwiches to make tomorrow and potted meat doesn't open itself...

Have fun with lucia

Ooh, fossils!

Erm, I think you should keep to dusting his fossils in private, personally.

Trikken, I x-posted with you because I spent ages trying to find the religious biscuits thread to link to - and then forgot to put the link in.

This will be one of those threads which ends in "other puerilities" then. Ah well, best thing for it, given the way it started, IMO.

blah blah blah

I love the idea of MN fight club but I think AIBU would lose out if it existed.

But you are playing right into her hands here by proving her every word to be true.The whole thread is littered with assumption and error so you see somehow she has you all sussed.I for one think she is a much welcome truth bearer but it is just not many are ready for that.

So chatta, why are you here?

Interesting posting history you've got there, Chatta

To answer the assertion put by the OP, do you spend much time with teenagers? In my experience (of seeing 150 a day) they know MASSES. Some of it may not be what I deem interesting or important but they are not "misinformed". They understand the workings of technology, the nuances of the media, the working of imaginary worlds. Their debating skills are strong and they understand huge amounts about the world and its injustices.

There are also a minority that are incredibly clued up politically and have a wide knowledge of current affiars and world events.

So, in my informed opinion, they actually know much more than my generation did at their age and I get a bit irritated with those who judge them.

Well observed Quattro.

Thanks for that - good to know.