Hans Rosling, a professor at the Karolinska Institute, has written an interesting column in DN today. According to him, many Swedes are not aware of the changes that have taken place in the world in recent decades. He refers to a survey in which Swedes give strikingly wrong answers.
We are less responsive than a monkey
For example, Swedes believe that half the people in Tanzania can read (correct answer: 80 per cent), that a Vietnamese person lives for 55 years (correct answer: 75 years) and that women in Bangladesh give birth to 5 children (correct answer: 2.5 children). According to Rosling, we respond worse than a monkey (which should be able to guess 25 per cent correctly), and this can be explained by the fact that we respond with knowledge of what the world looked like 30 years ago.
Gapminder provides a map showing how long people live and how much they earn in different parts of the world.
Snows says:
It is important to update yourself and realise that things are happening in other parts of the world as well. Developments are moving forward.
When I was in Egypt last week, the travel agency organised a literacy competition. I roughly knew the right number but no one believed me. Maybe an occupational hazard, but still...
05 January 2012 - 20:49
Emmy says:
Well, it depends on the area of interest to keep up with developments. Congratulations on your win by the way!
06 January 2012 - 1:30
Marina says:
Maybe it's time to realise that the world is evolving!!!
06 January 2012 - 19:40
Alexandra (KAKHUSET) says:
Oops, the world is evolving all the time, it's easy to forget that 😛.
08 January 2012 - 8:37