Finding the USA on a Map

The original clip of Miss South Carolina's desperate, inarticulate attempt to answer a question has been all over the Internet.

I must admit, I laughed. But I also felt sorry for her. It was a strange, unexpected question. She is young and was under pressure and obviously completely thrown by it. She does a much better job here on the Today programme.

I don't believe Americans would have more trouble finding the USA on a map than British people would have in finding the UK - and the same goes for any other country.

I mean, Charley from the recent UK series of Big Brother hadn't heard of Gandhi (between 30-60 seconds into the video), and the eventual winner, Brian, genuinely hadn't heard of William Shakespeare, so it's hardly surprising that some people have trouble identifying objects on maps.