Kansas Crimson

Just for fun. These are all just yes or no questions. Given the way I was raised and when I attended school, I’ve been surprised by people who didn’t know some things.

1. A. Can you name all 50 states without looking them up?
B. Can you point out all 50 states on a map that doesn’t name them?
C. Can you name 10 state capitals without looking them up?

2. With only paper and pencil as an aid, can you add, subtract, multiply, and divide common fractions?

3. Using only sufficiently detailed paper maps and no GPS, would you be able to find and drive to an address over 1000 miles away (assuming you have a car and can drive, of course)?

4. Do you know what the following tools are and how to use them:
A. Plumb bob
B. Chalk line

5. Do you know the difference between concrete and cement?

6. Do you know how to do the following on a car by yourself?
A. Change a tire?
B. Put tire chains on?
C. Change oil?

7. Your at a convenience store and the clerk says your total is $3.27. You give the clerk $5. Without any electronic aid or help from others, can you quickly figure out in your head how much change you should receive?

8. Without looking it up, do you know how many acres are in a square mile?

9. Do you know how many items are in a gross?

Yes to all except 5 and 8. Am I a bad person?

Easy, on to level 2.

Yes to all except for 4. Never done chains on a tire myself, but watched my dad do it when I was younger, so I might be able to do it.

I can name all 50 state capitals but would have issues with putting on snow chains. But in Central Texas, I am still in the upper percentile just knowing chains can go on tires.

1. A = Yes. B = I would like to think I can. C = Yes
2. Yes
3. Yes
4. A = No. B = Yes.
5. No
6. A = Yes. B = No. C = Yes
7. Yes and yet it seems 90% of people at a cash register these days couldn't.
8. No
9. Yes

Yea to all. Basic knowledge. Everyone should know. Except 8 is a little tougher

99 im disappointed in you for your lack of knowledge regarding question 5.

TDub wrote: ↑Mon Nov 05, 2018 12:23 pm Yea to all. Basic knowledge. Everyone should know. Except 8 is a little tougher

99 im disappointed in you for your lack of knowledge regarding question 5.

So, I am a bad person. I'll google it so I can be a good person again.

defixione wrote: ↑Mon Nov 05, 2018 11:42 am Easy, on to level 2.

Showoff.

3 might be tough if you're implying you have to do it all on your own ( without stopping to ask for directions once you got close to the area ).
4 B. No on using it
6 B - no
8 - no

Otherwise, yes.

I’ve never put on tire chains. I probably knew how many acres are in a square mile but I don’t now.

I googled Plumb Bob and still not sure what it is used for. Was this before they had levels or squares? That doesn't seem like a general question that most people would know.

1. A Yes. B. I think so C. Yes
2. Yes
3. Yes
4. Yes
5. In general terms
6. A. Yes B. No C. Watched it done but never did it myself
7. Yes
8. No (but I looked it up to see the answer)
9. Yes

Nothing more accurate than a plumb bob when used correctly. Particularly on steel columns and pole buildings. Gravity doesnt lie. Laser levels do sometimes. Especially if you accidentally hit the lock button instead of letting it free float. Will fuck your whole building and add a bunch of labor. Always check with a plumbbob

TDub wrote: ↑Mon Nov 05, 2018 4:38 pm Nothing more accurate than a plumb bob when used correctly. Particularly on steel columns and pole buildings. Gravity doesnt lie. Laser levels do sometimes. Especially if you accidentally hit the lock button instead of letting it free float. Will fuck your whole building and add a bunch of labor. Always check with a plumbbob

. . . unless it's a windy day . . .

Bigger plumbbob

TDub wrote: ↑Mon Nov 05, 2018 12:23 pm Yea to all. Basic knowledge. Everyone should know. Except 8 is a little tougher

99 im disappointed in you for your lack of knowledge regarding question 5.

Not trying to be argumentative, just trying to understand.
What's "basic knowledge" about and why I need to know or at least should know what a plumb bob and/or a chalk line is? My guess is more than 60% of Americans don't know nor were they ever taught in school or by a parent.
What's "basic knowledge" about knowing and why I need to know or at least should know the difference between concrete and cement. My guess is more than 60% of Americans don't know nor were they ever taught in school or by a parent.
What's basic knowledge about knowing and why I need to know or at least should know how to put tire chains on? My guess is more than 60% of Americans don't know nor were they ever taught in school or by a parent.

Gutter, consider it “basic knowledge if you grew up in Kansas in the 1980s or before.”

Basic knowledge does not mean that more than 50% of americans know it. Thats part of the problem. Everyone should know these things but they dont.

Cement is 1 component of concrete. A chalk line and plumbbob are simple basic tools that everyone should know how to use. Chains on tires are a wintertime essential if you do any winter driving. If more people knew these things then we would be more capable and independent and less reliant on other people.


That being said. Im fairly stupid when it comes to technology and computers which some would consider basic knowledge. But does that help me repair the house? Stay on the road? Stay alive? Probably not so i havent considered it a priority.

Isn't cement the same as mortar? I generally think of it as mortar to tuck-point and filling small holes and concrete for driveways, sidewalks, etc.

Also, if you don't live in the mountains, most people don't use chains. I grew up in KS and I can never remember my Dad or anybody else using chains on their tires. Now some people use snow tires versus their normal daily driving tires. I put snow tires on my Audi in the winter.