The series of street interviews, which asked Americans simple history and geography-related questions, brought a lot of laughter, disbelief, and concern to the internet. Some answers were so surprising that it was hard to believe that participants were kidding or if they were simply confused. But beyond the jokes, the conversation turned more serious, tackling issues of education, social media, and the amount of information people actually remember after leaving school. Here are a few of the moments that had the most responses.
The Questions Were Surprisingly Basic
The interviews started no way near the hard trivia or any weird facts. The majority of questions featured basic facts that most people will be able to learn in school, such as geography, U.S. history, and basic math. Hence, the shock of some of the responses.
Some Answers Left People Completely Stunned
Several of the participants had poor performance in answering questions about countries, historical events, or basic facts. Some answers were quite outlandish, and the interviewers were genuinely amazed by what they were hearing.
Being on Camera Clearly Added Pressure
Giving answers to questions in public and with a camera on them can be quite intimidating. At least some of the participants seemed agitated or at a loss, which may have impacted their thinking. But many viewers felt the questions should have been easy to answer.
Debate Quickly Shifted to Education
The reactions weren’t only about humor. The hosts instead suggested that there could be a larger problem with the education system, as many students may leave school without being able to master basic subjects they spent years learning.
Social Media Was Split on the Interviews
Occasionally, the clips were so funny that some viewers laughed out loud, but at other times they felt the interviews were going too far towards public embarrassment. The opinion that came online changed from ‘wrong answer’ to ‘is it funny or unfair?’
Geography Questions Created the Biggest Struggles
Some of the most confusing moments had to do with locations within neighboring countries, states, and locations across the world. Some of the participants were confused about intertwined countries, continents, and cities, which caught the attention of those who were following the event.
Basic Math Became Difficult Under Pressure
It was easy to get in the way for some participants when calculations became complex. In some instances, the solution was simply a small part of the question itself, resulting in even more reactions being shared online.
The Real Concern
At the end of the day, the conversation turned from the viral blunders. The hosts proposed that the underlying problem could be a system that focuses on getting students through school, instead of developing their understanding and critical thinking.
