Using a game show as an example of intelligence is flawed. Contestants are pre-screened. The common person is weeded out, and you're left with idiots and a few intelligent people to spice things up a bit. It's no big surprise that it's done--people want to see complete idiots because it makes them feel better about themselves, not to mention it's fodder for the water cooler. Using celebrities doesn't lend anything to the argument, because they're already ****ed up from being coddled and placed on a pedestal.
Pop culture is a poor indicator of anything (other than what is popular), because it's nothing but distorted views given by the pursuit of ratings. However, the effect and influence of pop culture on a society is something worth ranting about. This article is trying to treat the symptom, not diagnose the problem.
Personally, I think it should come as no surprise to anyone that the average American doesn't give a **** about the rest of the world; we were founded on isolationism. What a shocker.
