So a study was reported today that showed college-aged Americans, once again, to be absolutely abysmal with geography.  Many couldn't find Iraq or Louisiana on a map, despite all the news coverage about those areas.

This is very disturbing.  Why?  Well, we are living in an increasingly global society.  Business, politics, and communication stretch across national boundaries.  In the process we traverse ethnic, cultural, and social borders.  That is the sticking point for me.  I mean, in the end it is not going to hurt anyone if Joe Collegestudent can't find Cameroon on the map (no offense, Cameroon).  But what could be a factor is if Joe goes on, through his frat connections no doubt, to land a job that will require him to understand other cultures – and he falls flat on his face.  Sucks for Joe (and frankly, I'm starting not to like him anyway), but it really starts to suck for the economy.

Or imagine this frightening scenario…  The leaders of our own country don't know enough about foreign cultures to respond correctly to international issues.  In fact, they misunderstand the global community so completely that they lead our nation into dreadful situations in every corner of the map (ironic, huh?).

Yeah, but that could never happen…