From:	Drew Curtis dcurtis@***.net
Subject:	Geography & Priorities (was: the value of education)
Date:	Tue, 13 Jul 1999 09:46:00 -0400 (EDT)

On Mon, 12 Jul 1999, Snake Eyes wrote:

> I grew up in Alaska, and whenever I ventured down to the "Lower 48," I
> would occasionally endure the standard questions about passports, the
> weather, no sunlight, igloos, kayaks, harpooning whales, snowmobiles,
> dogsleds, and clubbing baby harbor seals for lunch. That last one was a
> constant source of entertainment -- useful for baiting junior eco-weenies
> who didn't know any better.
>
I had the same problem growing up in Kentucky. I had a penpal once ask me
if I wore shoes.

> In SR terms: do you think that education and attitudes regarding "foreign"

> lands & cultures have become more global in perspective or more insular?
>
I'm more cynical, I'd say more insular. I would expect the UCAS and CAS
to know a lot about each other but other than that have relatively little
clue as to what was going on in the rest of the world. Residents of
Seattle visiting the UCAS/CAS would probably have a similar experience
that you described regarding being from Alaska.

I think it boils down to an issue of time. Most people are too busy doing
other things to pay attention to the news.

Drew Curtis, President, Digital Crescent, Incorporated
http://www.dcr.net (502) 226 3376 Internet and Software Design services.
Offering dial-up Access from Frankfort to Louisville and all points between.