Are We Americans Collectively Dumb As A Nation?

The first thing we need to do is to identify and define what we mean by dumb. Identification is necessary to establish how the word dumb is being used. From "dumb's" usage, we can determine a workable definition.

If we stick with Webster's definition, then dumb means unable to make articulate sounds, having no powers of speech and deaf. Surely, by this definition, we can emphatically state that we Americans are not collectively dumb as a nation, even though there are many American citizens that have this handicap.

Colloquially speaking, the word dumb means stupid. Stupid, according to Webster, refers to a condition of having slow or low apprehension, being dull-witted, lacking understanding or sluggish. If you are characterizing the collective state of America as a nation of stupid people, the answer is a resounding NO.

Even though there are plenty of dull knives in the drawer, a lot of elevators don't make it to top floors and there are numerous people in leaking life boats bailing water with teaspoons, America is still a nation of intelligent people. Far too often, the media portrays us as being the exact opposite.

Despite individual shortcomings, variances, levels of understanding, achievement, growth and personal development that will be found in any population group, Americans are not only intelligent, we are hardworking and basically ambitious people.

To further illustrate these points, when you ask the question," Are we [Americans] collectively dumb as a nation?" There are a series of additional questions you need to ask as well, such as, compared to what? compared to whom? compared to what standard? compared to what point in time? What aspect of our collective intelligence is being questioned? What attribute? In what capacity? Within what parameters? And...finally, from whose point of view?

If you take these subsequent questions and place them in any chronological order, you will establish a frame work to discuss this issue and gain a greater understanding as to what is or is not actually happening to a nation of people. For example: If we include compared to what? We can emphatically state that we Americans, collectively speaking, are a lot smarter than domestic animals, wild beast or insects; especially, when it comes to our ability to think, use mechanical devices, interact with others or read and process information.

However, these so-called dumb animals are far more adept at surviving in their realm of reality than any of us would be. Also, the overwhelming vast majority of animals are far more adept at using their instincts and abilities than any of us will ever be. For example: Cheetahs will out run us, Gorillas are physically stronger, Camels will outlast us in a desert and fish will last longer than any human under water. Birds can fly and frogs can hop. Bats can navigate in total darkness and even the lowly ant is far more industrious. Consequently, even when it comes to comparing us to animals, we can fall short of the mark.

If we use military capability as a benchmark, then we Americans are, collectively speaking, king of the hill. If we use scholastic achievement as a guideline then; the compared to whom, which refers to another nation or group of people, would place us in competition with Japan, England, Greenland, Europe, Russia, South Korea, Israel and host of other nations with academically astute populations. In this comparison, we might fall short, collectively speaking.

America is a great nation because the people of America, collectively speaking, have made America great. It has nothing to do with our natural resources or strategic location. At the center of our national identity is a theme of honesty, decency, truth, justice and equality for all. It is just unfortunate that in many Americans these character traits are absent are poorly developed.

We do not have to denigrate ourselves because so many Americans demonstrate their lack of common courtesy, greed, selfishness and a host of other unsavory characteristics. If you hear this from someone in the future, "we Americans are collectively dumb as a nation", simply ask the person making the statement, compared to what, to whom, etc. Then, watch his/her reaction. No, we are not collectively dumb (stupid) as a nation. The reason...we are too smart for that.