<p>I feel like his ignorance isn’t all that bad if he’s something like, say, a mathematics major. Maybe he just has an esoteric, but in-depth, knowledge of mathematics and not other things like history. The student could still be extraordinarily bright in his area of expertise, and just lack some general knowledge in other areas. Remember that many ivy-tier schools endeavor to create a well-rounded body, but not necessarily a student body composed of well-rounded students. Or perhaps the student wasn’t actually that ignorant but simply wanted to lighten the mood by poking fun at his own lack of knowledge, unaware that his statement was quite disrespectful? I just think the OP’s entire point is just a bit silly. A student doesn’t know a historical aspect of his or her school and is, therefore, an unsatisfactory student? His ignorance is a bit irreverent and justifies some offense, but writing this whole thread to make a sweeping generalization about essentially all the ivies’ students based upon this one tour guide is unfounded.</p>
<p>I agree, @CandyPants16.</p>
<p>I consider myself a bit of a history buff, especially on American history(Although I could stand to know a lot more about the subject), but the student’s ignorance of the names of a few battles from a global war that is overshadowed by an even larger global war that occurred twenty years later isn’t surprising and shouldn’t be something to get angry about. It’s not like this person didn’t know who issued the emancipation proclamation or anything.</p>
<p>Really, I think this is a minor issue. A tour guide should be knowledgeable about the school that they study at and knowledgeable of its history, so in that regard, he failed. In the future, Yale should endeavor to do a better job selecting tour guides. They serve a critical function and represent the university to prospective students and their families.</p>
<p>There’s no reason to get so worked about this and prejudicially conclude that the tour guide was unqualified to attend Yale because he didn’t know a couple of facts about some memorial there.</p>
<p>lux et veritas!</p>