How Much Math Do We Really Need? 1153
Pickens writes "G.V. Ramanathan, a professor emeritus of mathematics, statistics and computer science at the University of Illinois at Chicago, writes in the Washington Post that although a lot of effort and money has been spent to make mathematics seem essential, unlike literature, history, politics and music, math has little relevance to everybody's daily life. 'All the mathematics one needs in real life can be learned in early years without much fuss,' writes Ramanathan. 'Most adults have no contact with math at work, nor do they curl up with an algebra book for relaxation.' Ramanathan says that the marketing of math has become similar to the marketing of creams to whiten teeth, gels to grow hair and regimens to build a beautiful body, but even with generous government grants over the past 25 years, countless courses, conferences, and books written on how to teach teachers to teach, where is the evidence that these efforts have helped students? A 2008 review by the Education Department found that the nation is at 'greater risk now' than it was in 1983, and the National Assessment of Educational Progress math scores for 17-year-olds have remained stagnant since the 1980s (PDF). Meanwhile those who do love math and science have been doing very well and our graduate schools are the best in the world. 'As for the rest, there is no obligation to love math any more than grammar, composition, curfew or washing up after dinner. Why create a need to make it palatable to all and spend taxpayers' money on pointless endeavors without demonstrable results or accountability?'"
Not much (Score:4, Funny)
Did you see that commercial? (Score:2, Funny)
The one with that chick that is going to fix up her friend with the hunky mathematician. She tells her not to use her calculator so her calculus stays sharp. But she doesn't listen and uses her calculator all week, but the night before her big date she uses Crest Mathstrips and gets the hunky mathematician.
Re:Not much (Score:5, Funny)
This the bill is 12.75, the guy gives you 20 euro and 75 cents, what change do you give him? ARrrrrrrrrrrgh WHY DID YOU GIVE ME 75 cents! You ruined my life! 6,7,8,9? Just take your 75 cents back for christ sake. 7.35.
I'd have liked a little less linear programming and geometry (which i excelled at) and a little more practical math, that way maybe I could have a normal job now if I wanted one.
Re:Not much (Score:4, Funny)
20.00-12.75=7.35
O I C Y U Got fired.
Re:Not much (Score:3, Funny)
> I've only used math two times in my life: when learning it in school, when counting my kids at night, and when doing my taxes.
Three should be the number of thy counting!
Re:A little more (Score:5, Funny)
I was just thinking the same thing!!
Are you listening to my thoughts?
Re:A little more (Score:5, Funny)
I was just thinking the same thing!!
Are you listening to my thoughts?
That joke works better when you think it to yourself. Then everyone can have a good laugh.
Re:Not much literature either (Score:4, Funny)
Speaking as someone with a degree in Physics, I can safely say that I've only used literary analysis one time in my life: when learning it in school.
That explains why so many physicists don't understand that Schroedinger's Cat thought experiment was a literary euphemism for sex.
Re:Not much (Score:2, Funny)
Wow, you are really bad at math(s). I'd much rather have 8 euro change (5+2+1) than have 7.25 euro. (5+2+.20+.05) The .20 euro coin is almost the same size as the 1 euro coin.
Rubbish. 7.25 euro from 12.75 euro is 5 crown, 10 and sixpence, with a ha' penny thrown in to account for the conversion to the Gregorian calendar.
If you didn't RTFA (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Not much literature either (Score:1, Funny)
Let me guess, your are Frensh? In my experience technical papers written in English are usually quite usefull as the writer used some words and was done with. Perhaps sometimes a few puns too much but otherwise not much making it hard to read. While in Frensh people like to literary
papers, not repeating a single word but always insisting to use another one to avoid duplication....
(Well, also may happen elsewhere. Some math schoolbook was once printed in which a lector
without asking anyone replaced every second instance of "real numbers" with "actual numbers"
shortly before print).
Re:Not much literature either (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Not much (Score:3, Funny)
But since you missed the Monty Python reference, you got your very own Whoosh. Mazal Tov!
Re:Not much literature either (Score:4, Funny)
I'm pretty sure the GP is referring to the interpretation of symbolism and metaphor for hidden meaning that most literary courses focus on, which would be entirely lacking in any technical paper.
Unless that paper is on string theory.
Re:Not much literature either (Score:5, Funny)
I remember being reprimanded in an English class during a lesson on Shakespeare...
So, what do you think Shakespeare was really saying in this line here?
Miss, maybe he was just a writer who saw the value of sex and violence in putting bums on seats?
That didn't go down well at all...
Re:A little more (Score:4, Funny)
his books did get really creepy when he got older...
But he does have some fantastic quotes:
there's the classic
"Specialization is for insects"
look it up.
and then a few other golden ones
"Progress doesn't come from early risers -- progress is made by lazy men looking for easier ways to do things."
"The whole principle is wrong. It's like demanding that grown men live on skim milk because the baby can't have steak."
(On censorship)
"Age is not an accomplishment, and youth is not a sin."
Re:Eng. Lit is BullShiat, but fun (Score:5, Funny)
Personally, I found English classes (once we stopped doing grammar/spelling) to be mentally abusive.
If we s/English/foreign language/g then I'm right there with you.
I was a foreign language major because I'm good at learning languages. I hadn't really considered or understood that this was essentially the same thing as being an English major (ie. basket weaving) except in different languages. My Great Moment of Disenchantment came when I decided to teach this one professor a lesson once and for all. More references, more references, I'll show you more references! So I didn't read the book at all, and my big paper was one continuous series of citations from random people's doctoral theses and so on. I had citations everywhere, and everything was either a direct quote or a paraphrase. The extent to which I injected original thought or analysis into this work consisted of conjunctions, articles, and perhaps a two- or three-word connecting phrase in a couple of places. I was impressed with how horrific this paper was, because it was the utmost extreme exercise in not thinking and not having any original thoughts or genuine insights whatsoever.
The result?
(Everybody probably already saw this coming...)
"Fantastic! A++ This is your BEST work EVER! Why can't you ALWAYS write papers this good! This is what I have been trying to get you to do all along!!"
And that, boys and girls, is why I was a truck driver for 15 years after college.
Re:What schools were for.... (history) (Score:2, Funny)
I hate to tell you this, but your core premises are wrong. Continuing to argue with you would be like trying to convince a creationist that evolution is correct; you're so whacked that it won't do any good.
The real shame of it is that it's people like you who are doing real damage to the country, always criticizing with no productive ideas, trying to tear down the very institutions that DO work well and that made it great.