I had an early 20's, first generation US -- Armenian family, college educated coworker who didn't understand how time zones worked (the rotation of the globe) and couldn't point out California (she lived in LA County her entire time in the US) on a map. In fact she didn't know how to read a map and thought the blue areas (on a weather map) were water.

I always think about her whenever these types of conversations come up, because she really wasn't stupid. She was the combination of backwards (didn't drive on the highway, never been on a plane, virgin, the inside of her house was "Armenia") and not that interested in anything outside of celebrities, bars, restaurants, movies, cars, etc. Other than not looking like an idiot in front of other people I wondered how any of the information I have clanking around in my head would have any impact on her life. Maybe if she was more educated she'd vote or vote for a different person. I don't know. In California presidential votes don't matter so I couldn't even make that argument!