The people who have more than a passing knowledge of both probably know a number of people who do as well, but I would still consider that number to be a very, very, small percentage of the population who are well versed in one of the subjects.
I can't imagine that the typical WWII buff knows about rushing bases or that the typical leetspeaker could name all 3 Axis powers, let alone their leaders.
I think there's considerable overlap. Most strategy games are history-based, and I think appeal to the same kind of people that history does anyway. Strategy games probably aren't the main arena for leetspeak, but it's still in the general realm. (Kind of beside the point, but the WWII knowledge in that .gif at least was extremely basic. I would think anyone who went to high school would be able to follow it.)
I think there's considerable overlap. Most strategy games are history-based, and I think appeal to the same kind of people that history does anyway. Strategy games probably aren't the main arena for leetspeak, but it's still in the general realm. (Kind of beside the point, but the WWII knowledge in that .gif at least was extremely basic. I would think anyone who went to high school would be able to follow it.)
When I think leetspeak, I don't think history-based strategy games. I think more along the lines of Starcraft, Quake/CS, Modern Warfare (I don't count this as history) or your standard 400 texts/day under 25 year old. Most of the people that I know that play(ed) the AoE and Civ series-type games were able to compose entire sentences on a full-time basis.
Although the WWII knowledge was very basic indeed, I don't think the subject is covered in high school in much more than a passing mention. My wife would stare blankly at me if I asked her who Italy's leader was during WWII or what the "Luftwaffle" was.
When I think leetspeak, I don't think history-based strategy games. I think more along the lines of Starcraft, Quake/CS, Modern Warfare (I don't count this as history) or your standard 400 texts/day under 25 year old. Most of the people that I know that play(ed) the AoE and Civ series-type games were able to compose entire sentences on a full-time basis.
Although the WWII knowledge was very basic indeed, I don't think the subject is covered in high school in much more than a passing mention. My wife would stare blankly at me if I asked her who Italy's leader was during WWII or what the "Luftwaffle" was.
/end off-topic
I would comment, but testing out in AP European and US History tells me I go over most people's heads that don't have some type of history background. That being said, it did take me a second to remember who De Gaulle was.
I would say that WWII history is still probably one of the larger areas of teaching, and the lack of knowledge falls more so on the students then the teachers.
When I think leetspeak, I don't think history-based strategy games. I think more along the lines of Starcraft, Quake/CS, Modern Warfare (I don't count this as history) or your standard 400 texts/day under 25 year old. Most of the people that I know that play(ed) the AoE and Civ series-type games were able to compose entire sentences on a full-time basis.
Although the WWII knowledge was very basic indeed, I don't think the subject is covered in high school in much more than a passing mention. My wife would stare blankly at me if I asked her who Italy's leader was during WWII or what the "Luftwaffle" was.
/end off-topic
Yeah, I agree about the games. But there's still a basic familiarity with the concept that being a gamer in general provides. I play pretty much exclusively strategy games (aside from xbox with my friends and random stuff), and I never type that way myself, but I still have a basic understanding of it. I guess maybe that comes more from reading stuff online, but I don't know...I think multiplayer in general provides at least a window to it.
Anyway, WWII is probably the historical topic about which the average person knows by far the most. Obviously that is saying very little, but I think more people are at least familiar with the basic events of WWII than other topics. I think most people would know who Mussolini was, but maybe not. De Gaulle, not so much.
Yeah, I agree about the games. But there's still a basic familiarity with the concept that being a gamer in general provides. I play pretty much exclusively strategy games (aside from xbox with my friends and random stuff), and I never type that way myself, but I still have a basic understanding of it. I guess maybe that comes more from reading stuff online, but I don't know...I think multiplayer in general provides at least a window to it.
Anyway, WWII is probably the historical topic about which the average person knows by far the most. Obviously that is saying very little, but I think more people are at least familiar with the basic events of WWII than other topics. I think most people would know who Mussolini was, but maybe not. De Gaulle, not so much.
By average person, do you mean average American? I'd be inclined to believe that an average European would know De Gaulle or Franco.
