Well, a study done by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press would certainly say Americans were pretty ignorant.
The study consisted of five questions, all focused on the status of our government and popular political affiliations. On average, Americans were as up-to-date with current events as they were in 1989.
An esoteric factor has estranged the American people from being informed about important, current events.
A poll taken in 2004 by Gallup showed that the major source of news for Americans, Nightly Network News, was dropping dramatically off the charts. On the other hand, Cable News Programs and the Internet were making tremendous jumps as major news sources.
Deserving true attention is the Internet. During 2002-2004, every other news medium declined while news on the Internet grew substantially.
Now at the point where the Internet is more popular than ever, is it the reason Americans don't know who their Vice President is?
The first thing a person probably thinks about when browsing the Internet is... what to do next. Using the Internet is more work than you think. It's almost a chore in a way. Turning on the television and watching the news channel can only take one or two clicks of the remote. This is what ''TV" has been known for, easily grabbing your attention and shoving news into your eyes and ears.
But what makes "television news" more important than "Internet news"?
Many people believe that news broadcasted on a television is more "official" and "trustworthy". Conversely, many people view news reported on the Internet as "sensational" and "shaky". Who's to say which is "better" or more "reliable"?
What most people don't know is that a great deal of our so-called ''important" media and news comes from two or three major sources.
The Internet has become known to many as a viewer's wonderland rather than a stern resource for important, up-to-date news. Many would argue that this statement isn't true; but due to the virtually-unlimited size of the Internet, is it a good choice for up-to-date news?
But this isn't the real question. The real question is: "Do Americans even care?" Do you care?
Sadly, I don't even know who the Vice President is; but thanks to the Internet, I can easily find out.
