I always get heat when I say this, but I have to say it again: America has a greater ratio of stupid people than any other industrialized nation in the world. I'm as patriotic as anyone and love John Wayne movies, Uncle Sam and apple pie. However, by the time you hit middle age, you've already met so many dumb people that it truly becomes depressing. Yes, every nation has its share of stupid people, but in my humble experience, America takes the cake. Mind you, I'm not saying America is a nation of stupid people- just that we have a greater percentage of stupid people. Just watch Jay Leno's "Jay Walking" segments in which he interviews people on the street and asks them questions that a gorilla should be able to answer. I recall one woman not knowing what country the Great Wall of China was in. Similarly, Americans believe all sorts of crazy conspiracy theories on both the political left and right. There are educated people I know who still swear that President George W. Bush and Vice-President Cheney were the brains behind the destruction of the World Trade Center. Meanwhile, a huge number of Americans believe that President Obama is an illegal alien/Kenyan Muslim. A very prominent political figure (who I won't name because I don't feel like igniting a debate) had to be briefed about what nations America fought in World War II. If you really want to know how stupid many people are, just ask someone to name the current Vice-President. I've been using this test since I was a teenager and recently debated someone who took issue with my thesis that stupidity is sweeping America. "I'm not stupid!", he protested. I asked him who the current Vice-President is. A look of horror came to his eyes. After a few thoughtful pauses, he said "Dick Cheney?" When I gave him the name of Joe Biden, he slapped his forehead and said, "Oh, yeah", but I firmly believe he had never heard Biden's name prior to this conversation. What does all this have to do with show business? Plenty. One of the reasons contemporary movies are so bad is because stupid people demand stupid entertainment. Sure, there is a King's Speech that slips through the cracks every now and then, but for the most part, unfathomable amounts of money get poured into G.I. Joe movies. Even James Cameron's intelligent blockbuster Titanic isn't immune from the web of stupid people, as evidenced by these comments from fans who never realized the film depicted a historical incident. Click here to read. -Lee Pfeiffer