Charles Barkley is a dumb ass

[SenorSpur]

I don't know how many of you stayed up to watch the TNT telecast of Lakers vs Kings, but it was the "Inside the NBA" segment that followed the game which I am referring to.

During this segment, there is a regular feature called "Where we at?". This lil' game is played out on a huge billboard sized map in the TNT studio. In this game, one player (in this case TNT Analyst John Thompson) reads off the names of five countries from various parts around the world. The object of the game is for Charles Barkley to locate all five countries, one at a time, on the map within 90 seconds. Charles does this by placing little' name stickers by each country.

During last night's segment, Charles was not only unable to locate such countries like Jamaica, Argentina, and the Congo. He was WAY off. In fact, he was so far off I thought he was joking.

To illustrate my point, he placed the name card of Jamaica in the southern part of South America, Argentina was placed near the country of India and then he placed the coiuntry of the Congo somewhere near Switzerland. The only one he was remotely close on was placing the Sudan in the southern part of Africa. Hey, at least he finally got the continent right.

Needless to say, he did not get any of his answers right. Though he later claimed "I was close" and "at least I wasn't that far off." :elephant

It was hilarious!

[Solid D]

If he becomes president some day, he'll have to order new globes.

[PM5K]

I don't know either, because I couldn't care less about where those countries are, and knowing the answer will have no affect on my life whatsoever....

[Solid D]

I don't know either, because I couldn't care less about where those countries are, and knowing the answer will have no affect on my life whatsoever....

Brilliant. :lol

Q: What's does apathy mean?
A: I don't know and I don't care.

[xcoriate]

See this is the reason some people have a problem with some Americans.

Don't hate I'm just saying. Theres more to the world than the US.

[Trainwreck2100]

See this is the reason some people have a problem with some Americans.

Don't hate I'm just saying. Theres more to the world than the US.

So you know where the Congo is?

[AFE7FATMAN]

Barkley makes how much $$$$$$?
You make how much?

Who is the DA here?

[iminlakerland]

Actually I like charles, and i think he is intelligent, but if he ever wants to have a career in politics he better get some of his geography down atleast lol

[SenorSpur]

Barkley makes how much $$$$$$?
You make how much?

Who is the DA here?

That wasn't the point asswipe!

But since you brought it up. Anyone who has that type of grip and has traveled the world playing and promotiong the game of basketball, should at least know where Jamaica and Argentina are. I was especially amused that, being as big a Ginobili fan as he is, that he didn't know where his home country was.

[velik_m]

yeah, he should at least get the continents right.

[GrandeDavid]

I pray he was joking...but I have to doubt he was.

[5ToolMan]

See this is the reason some people have a problem with some Americans.

Don't hate I'm just saying. Theres more to the world than the US.

People who hate have many reasons. Yet few as expressed are valid.

There is also much more to life than being an expert on World geography.

Those who would express hate for another using such poppycock as a reason, are just foolish haters with a grudge. They need to get over themselves and learn to move on to the finner aspects of life.

[5ToolMan]

That wasn't the point asswipe!

But since you brought it up. Anyone who has that type of grip and has traveled the world playing and promotiong the game of basketball, should at least know where Jamaica and Argentina are. I was especially amused that, being as big a Ginobili fan as he is, that he didn't know where his home country was.

Charles is Charles, and that is what is wonderful about him. I think it is great that he does not let the narrow view of others effect what he cares to spend his time on. While Charles may not be able to identify where a country is, I am sure he can tell you in great detail about many hot spots in major cities throughout the World. Charles would rather spend his time in the moment, with the people of the World WHERE HE IS AT, rather than learn something of little use, in his view.

[polandprzem]

I bet he wouldn't guess where Poland is :rolleyes

[velik_m]

africa, right?

[boutons_]

"I am sure he can tell you in great detail about many hot spots in major cities throughout the World."

"hot spot" in the sense of "strip club" or "night club" or "whore house" ?

Charles is rich and famous, the ultimate American achievements.
He doesn't need to be informed. :)

[Melmart1]

There was an article awhile back about a study. This was adults tested, not children. They gave them a world map and asked them to point out the US. Something like 4/10 couldn't do it. Couldn't even point out THEIR OWN COUNTRY. Talk about embarassing! So it does not surprise me that Charles did not know. He is not the sharpest knife in the drawer.

Case in point- My friend Sammy was working at as a waiter downtown when TNT was in town, and Charles came into his restaurant. He said his wife Sarah was a big fan and could Charles give him an autograph for her. He was very friendly and even asked "Is it Sarah with an 'H' or Sara without an "H"?"

Well, my friend was impressed that he asked and said "with an 'H', please". It wasn't till he got home and gave it to his wife that he realized what had happened.

"Who is Shara?" she asked... At first I thought he made it up, but apparentely not. You can't really make stuff like that up.

[Pero]

You don`t have to be an expert in geography. Here, most kids in primary schools would know that... It`s just common knowledge...

[samikeyp]

I saw the same thing Mel saw...its sad really. Xcoriate is right (and I didn't think you were hating, bro). A lot of it is, at least when I was in high school, geography (US or World) was not required to graduate. Hopefully it has changed.

[Solid D]

I'm not a hater, but here: http://www.graphicmaps.com/aatlas/world.htm

Lazy, self-centered, spatially limited or just apathetic...what's your reason for not taking yourself to the next level?

[leemajors]

what i don't get is why people are surprised a professional athlete would not know this stuff, most would not. i would rather someone not know that and have a highly developed social conscience and sense of justice like charles does. he has really done a 180 on the comment in his career where he said he is not a role model.

[Pero]

Cool link Solid D, thanks.

[5ToolMan]

what i don't get is why people are surprised a professional athlete would not know this stuff, most would not. i would rather someone not know that and have a highly developed social conscience and sense of justice like charles does. he has really done a 180 on the comment in his career where he said he is not a role model.

Your view is much more involved than those who critize another just because of a lack of knowledge on geography. Truth be known, if one knows and ACCEPTS the World as it is, many, in fact a majority, know very little outside of their own existance.

[dmac]

If he becomes president some day, he'll have to order new globes.
If he becomes president, I'm leaving the country!

[himat]

I don't know how many of you stayed up to watch the TNT telecast of Lakers vs Kings, but it was the "Inside the NBA" segment that followed the game which I am referring to.

During this segment, there is a regular feature called "Where we at?". This lil' game is played out on a huge billboard sized map in the TNT studio. In this game, one player (in this case TNT Analyst John Thompson) reads off the names of five countries from various parts around the world. The object of the game is for Charles Barkley to locate all five countries, one at a time, on the map within 90 seconds. Charles does this by placing little' name stickers by each country.

During last night's segment, Charles was not only unable to locate such countries like Jamaica, Argentina, and the Congo. He was WAY off. In fact, he was so far off I thought he was joking.

To illustrate my point, he placed the name card of Jamaica in the southern part of South America, Argentina was placed near the country of India and then he placed the coiuntry of the Congo somewhere near Switzerland. The only one he was remotely close on was placing the Sudan in the southern part of Africa. Hey, at least he finally got the continent right.

Needless to say, he did not get any of his answers right. Though he later claimed "I was close" and "at least I wasn't that far off." :elephant

It was hilarious!


i wonder whats wrong? he has a pretty big head.

[AlamoSpursFan]

If he becomes president, I'm leaving the country!

YEAH!

Sincerely,
Alec Baldwin

:lmao

[nkdlunch]

I don't know either, because I couldn't care less about where those countries are, and knowing the answer will have no affect on my life whatsoever....

TRANSLATION: I'm as dumb as Barkley

[Manudona]

Well, you know the saying "war is God's way of teaching geography to Americans", so is not Charles fault US was never at war with Argentina, Jamaica or Congo :rolleyes

[Pero]

Your view is much more involved than those who critize another just because of a lack of knowledge on geography. Truth be known, if one knows and ACCEPTS the World as it is, many, in fact a majority, know very little outside of their own existance.

I`m not saying I know all the countries in the world, but I think that I`d at least put the countries on the right continents, especially if I was a public figure. He doesn`t even know where Argentina is, and he`s a fan of Ginobilli, he doesn`t know where Congo is!?!?!
Although, I do agree, that his "stupidity" is of little importance when compared to his social awaraweness, charity... This is better, than being a genius or rich or something and doing nothing for society.

Can you explain what you mean with your last sentence? It seems a little paradoxal to me.

[Pero]

i wonder whats wrong? he has a pretty big head.


:lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol

[bull62400]

That wasn't the point asswipe!

But since you brought it up. Anyone who has that type of grip and has traveled the world playing and promotiong the game of basketball, should at least know where Jamaica and Argentina are. I was especially amused that, being as big a Ginobili fan as he is, that he didn't know where his home country was.

I think what he's saying is that we should pursue our true happiness in life by making millions of dollars. So, if Barkley is considered "dumb" other people are "dumber" than Barkley because Barkley has more money. So I make an announcement to the American People! Stop your education right now and learn to make money for the more money you have, the smarter you become. Knowledge is power? I think, MONEY is power.

[ambchang]

See this is the reason some people have a problem with some Americans.

Don't hate I'm just saying. Theres more to the world than the US.
To be fair, 30% of Americans thought the States were in the Middle East in a survey a couple of years back. I have to find that link.

[ambchang]

I think what he's saying is that we should pursue our true happiness in life by making millions of dollars. So, if Barkley is considered "dumb" other people are "dumber" than Barkley because Barkley has more money. So I make an announcement to the American People! Stop your education right now and learn to make money for the more money you have, the smarter you become. Knowledge is power? I think, MONEY is power.
:lol Nicely said.
I never understood how wealth is equated with intelligence.
Dan Quayle comes to mind.

http://www.quotationspage.com/quotes/Dan_Quayle/

[Despot]

Well, you know the saying "war is God's way of teaching geography to Americans", so is not Charles fault US was never at war with Argentina, Jamaica or Congo :rolleyes

Never heard that saying, but all i know is Argentina may invade us if Pop tries to take Manu out of the starting lineup again.

It is not right to assume someone is a DA just because they do not know it all, which is basically what some of you are expecting of him. Everyone has different interests and hobbies and necessities in their lives, while I agree it is pretty bad that he missed it by entire continents. However, this is just not practical knowledge for most people, it is just not useful in everyone's daily life. I would bet that alot of americans don't even know what what state is which if they were shown a map, much less point out where major cities are, what does that say about us as a country? I don't know, but in MEXICO, students learn the name, location, capitol, and government type of EVERY country. Even populations and import & exports of major countries. Does that make them more intelligent than us?

Is angel_luv smarter than the rest of us because she may knows more about Slovenia than most of us? Or because she is curious about learning a few words of of their language? While i'm sure she is very intelligent, her life choices have guided her yearning for knowledge in other directions.
Is an owner of a junkyard going to know where all these countries are? Probably not, but I am pretty sure he knows more about cars than most of us combined.

[bull62400]

:lol Nicely said.
I never understood how wealth is equated with intelligence.
Dan Quayle comes to mind.

http://www.quotationspage.com/quotes/Dan_Quayle/

What a waste it is to lose one's mind. Or not to have a mind is being very wasteful. How true that is.
Dan Quayle

Thanx for the quotes, I like them. :spin

[Obstructed_View]

See this is the reason some people have a problem with some Americans.

Don't hate I'm just saying. Theres more to the world than the US.
Actually, those people will always have a problem with Americans regardless of what happens (but not enough of a problem to stop accepting our money).

[Melmart1]

I tried to look for a link to that study where Americans could not point the US out on a map, but to no avail.

I did find this test though. First ten questions are general stuff about other countries, and last 10 are geography. One of them asks you to locate Argentina on a map. Turns out Sir Charles is not alone, only 27% of Americans got that one right.

It gives you the results of each question, broken down by country. The US is almost always dead last or next-to-last behind Mexico. Sad. Very sad.

http://geosurvey.nationalgeographic.com/geosurvey/templates/question_1.html

I am happy to say I got a 19/20. Considering I used to book airline tix, I better have gotten that high! My customers already didn't know where they were going half the time!

[Obstructed_View]

Is it funny to just me that Mexico scored the highest of all the countries at locating the US on a map?

[polandprzem]

I tried to look for a link to that study where Americans could not point the US out on a map, but to no avail.

I did find this test though. First ten questions are general stuff about other countries, and last 10 are geography. One of them asks you to locate Argentina on a map. Turns out Sir Charles is not alone, only 27% of Americans got that one right.

It gives you the results of each question, broken down by country. The US is almost always dead last or next-to-last behind Mexico. Sad. Very sad.

http://geosurvey.nationalgeographic.com/geosurvey/templates/question_1.html

I am happy to say I got a 19/20. Considering I used to book airline tix, I better have gotten that high! My customers already didn't know where they were going half the time!


hey americans are dumb. That's nothing new

[Melmart1]

hey americans are dumb. That's nothing new

Just like it's very smart to insult America as a whole based on one survey, and do it on a board where the majority are Americans.

Smart. Very smart. I think I will start calling you Magnavox.

[polandprzem]

Just like it's very smart to insult America as a whole based on one survey, and do it on a board where the majority are Americans.

Smart. Very smart. I think I will start calling you Magnavox.
hehe

hey - It's not upon that one story. It's an opinion on avarage American. Just like your community is fat. That's all

[jabol130]

what i don't get is why people are surprised a professional athlete would not know this stuff, most would not. i would rather someone not know that and have a highly developed social conscience and sense of justice like charles does. he has really done a 180 on the comment in his career where he said he is not a role model.

It's surprising because a professional athlete in any other country most likely would. Although US is a pretty big country and as long as Charles knows all his states I let him and all other US pro athletes slip on that one ;).

[TOP-CHERRY]

hey americans are dumb. That's nothing new
I'd like to know something... Why the whole world can insult Americans, and it's perfectly fine, but when Americans do the same thing, or defend themselves, they're labeled "arrogant".

[Pero]

I scored 19/20 too. I was surprised that Italy was among the best, considering that Italians don˙t know where Slovenia is, and we`re their neighbours...
I wouldn`t say they are dumb. I think they have poor general education, and don`t really care what happens outside of their own country, even if it`s connected with it.

[Pero]

Actually, those people will always have a problem with Americans regardless of what happens (but not enough of a problem to stop accepting our money).

Or your weapons....
It`s funny really, you give them money, which they then spend on weapons, so the money comes back to you... Afterwards you may even attack them, and get the weapons back too... :lol

[polandprzem]

I'd like to know something... Why the whole world can insult Americans, and it's perfectly fine, but when Americans do the same thing, or defend themselves, they're labeled "arrogant".
Un be live able

Who is the whole world?

Poor America :depressed

[nkdlunch]

hehe

hey - It's not upon that one story. It's an opinion on avarage American. Just like your community is fat. That's all

just like the general opinion on an average european, they're eurotrash

[polandprzem]

just like the general opinion on an average european, they're eurotrash

Arrogant American :flipoff

[Pero]

Well, at least we have one thing in common. We obviously think very highly of each other. :lol

[nkdlunch]

Arrogant American :flipoff

:lol hey you're the one who beleives in stereotypes.

btw, I'm latin-american, so you probably beleive we are all drunks who steal

[polandprzem]

:lol hey you're the one who beleives in stereotypes.

btw, I'm latin-american, so you probably beleive we are all drunks who steal

yup


------edit

Btw :lol

[SenorSpur]

I think what he's saying is that we should pursue our true happiness in life by making millions of dollars. So, if Barkley is considered "dumb" other people are "dumber" than Barkley because Barkley has more money. So I make an announcement to the American People! Stop your education right now and learn to make money for the more money you have, the smarter you become. Knowledge is power? I think, MONEY is power.

Let me reset the table a bit. Charles Barkley is one of the funniest and truthful athletes that have ever come along. I watch the TNT telecasts for his honest commentary.

Think of my use of the term "dumb ass" as endearing as say "knucklehead". I certainly know Charles is not dumb, not by any means. I simply found it humorous and surprising that a guy that wealthy and seemingly well-traveled, did not know that Jamaica was geographically located in the Carribbean.

Money is power. Yet money also provides you access. One of which is to go wherever the HELL you want to go in the world and in life. One of the byproducts of travel is that it is pertinent toward expanding ones cultural awareness and perspective.

Charles, there's simply no excuse for this..

[MaNuMaNiAc]

I don't know either, because I couldn't care less about where those countries are, and knowing the answer will have no affect on my life whatsoever....http://spurstalk.com/forums/images/smilies/smilol.gif oh thats perfect sweetheart, keep thinking that way, next thing you know you'll be launching missiles at Iraq and hitting us Argies instead http://spurstalk.com/forums/images/smilies/smirolleyes.gif

[MaNuMaNiAc]

I'd like to know something... Why the whole world can insult Americans, and it's perfectly fine, but when Americans do the same thing, or defend themselves, they're labeled "arrogant".because the one insulting the states in this thread is "arrogant" aswell and out of line. The problem is no American seems to be willing to put him in his place. Either that or you people just don't care.

P.S. Where's whottt when you need him http://spurstalk.com/forums/images/smilies/smilol.gif

[Melmart1]

. The problem is no American seems to be willing to put him in his place. Either that or you people just don't care.



Well, I can't speak for anyone else, but for me at least, I don't want to draw this out any further, cus this type of discussion is better suited for the Political Forum.

[angel_luv]

http://spurstalk.com/forums/images/smilies/smilol.gif oh thats perfect sweetheart, keep thinking that way, next thing you know you'll be launching missiles at Iraq and hitting us Argies instead http://spurstalk.com/forums/images/smilies/smirolleyes.gif


:lol Well said.

[Obstructed_View]

Or your weapons....
It`s funny really, you give them money, which they then spend on weapons, so the money comes back to you... Afterwards you may even attack them, and get the weapons back too... :lol
Actually the weapons come from Sryia, Russia and France, who will sell weapons to anyone, and especially if the buyer doesn't like the US. We also have China, North Korea and now Iran sharing nuclear information, and soon, nuclear material. We typically only attack a country if it invades someone else's country, but nobody ever remembers that. The US may not be as good as some of the rest of the countries at geography, but we apparently have a better sense of history than anyone else.

It would be interesting to see how brave everyone would be talking if they weren't under the protection of the US, militarily and financially. We may be arrogant, but it's because it's our brothers and fathers out there making the world safe, and it's our tax money keeping the rest of the world afloat. That's fine. Keep throwing your little insults around. We'll continue to do the right thing because we are the only ones with the guts to do it.

Back to basketball for me.

[Pero]

Well, my post really wasn`t meant as an insult... I was being half-serious.
However, if you think that weapons don`t come from the US, but only from those countries, you are deluding yourself. I think it`s true, you are making the world safer in a way, and making it more dangerous at the same time (not saying that`s just the US).

It`s probably best to go back to basketball, we probably can`t change each others views, and this kind of topics don`t usually end well.
Wouldn`t it be better if instead of wars, we would have basketball matches? :lol

[5ToolMan]

Can you explain what you mean with your last sentence? It seems a little paradoxal to me.

I will certainly give it another go or two.

What I was trying to convey was something along the lines of; everyone becomes "an expert" in the World around them, yet many ignore we each live in our own seperate Worlds.

Screaming about the ignorance of others, viewed through the glasses of only our World, is actually painting a picture of our own ignorance to the rest of the World.

In Texas I have often heard, "before you can judge another, you must walk a mile in his shoes." If anyone of us were walking in Charles shoes, we would understand why he may not know World Geography. And if living his life, we, like he, would not even give a damn about such insignificance in our lives.

[Pero]

I understand what you meant now. Good point, very true.

[polandprzem]

I will certainly give it another go or two.

What I was trying to convey was something along the lines of; everyone becomes "an expert" in the World around them, yet many ignore we each live in our own seperate Worlds.

Screaming about the ignorance of others, viewed through the glasses of only our World, is actually painting a picture of our own ignorance to the rest of the World.

In Texas I have often heard, "before you can judge another, you must walk a mile in his shoes." If anyone of us were walking in Charles shoes, we would understand why he may not know World Geography. And if living his life, we, like he, would not even give a damn about such insignificance in our lives.

Does he know wchich hand is right and wchich is left?

Because , you know noet eveybody must to know that. :rolleyes

[IcemanCometh]

Charles is very good at poking fun at himself. This was a joke segment and I believe that in all reality Chuck could locate those countries. Or at least do a better job