Now that we have all this “extra” information sources, do we know more than before?
The short answer? No.

According to “What Americans Know 1989-2007” :

a new nationwide survey finds that the coaxial and digital revolutions and attendant changes in news audience behaviors have had little impact on how much Americans know about national and international affairs.

On average, today’s citizens are about as able to name their leaders, and are about as aware of major news events, as was the public nearly 20 years ago.

Other interesting statistics? (remember, this is a US study done for and of Americans):

- 5% LESS Americans can name their vice-president today than could in 1989 (but, to be fair, Quale was far more entertaining – a position now stolen by Bush)
- 11% LESS American can name the Russian leader now than could in 1989
- More than 93% of those surveyed could identify Arnold Schwarzenegger as the California governor
- Men, on average, knew more than women, all other factors being equal

Luckily, for those of us who are information addicts, the study also shows that those who do read or follow the news, are indeed likely to know more. So in (very) short, the bulging sources of information simply feed those who followed the news, international affairs etc already, but do little to encourage those who couldn’t be bothered to read a paper.

If you want to test how much you know, take the quiz here.
Thanks to ePluribus media for drawing my attention to the study.