We are teaching our kids to be worthless and lazy

[Drewbacca]

lol @ Andrew trying to make his field relevant.

Math is today's Latin. One hundred years ago everyone learned Latin in college because it is rigorous and was the framework around which almost all of the world's canon was built on. It was a language that served as the backdrop of the rise and fall of the Romans, the rise and fall of the Catholic Church and the Renaissance. It was believed that you could not be a functioning member of a literate society without knowing the language literate society was built on.

Well times have changed and we view the canon differently and history differently. Now we live in a world of science and statistics, of rigorous thought and analysis. Of money and the transfer of it, and how policy is money put into action. Mathematics is the backdrop to it all. If everyone knew basic statistics then politicians and pundits couldn't get away with 90% of their bullshit. We wouldn't have crap like the majority of people in the US believing Genesis was literal. You cannot be a functioning, literal member of society without knowing what a scientific, rational worldview is built on.

That is why math is so important. We have unfortunately moved away from a world in which we learn for learning's sake to a world where everything needs to be transferred into "getting a good job" or whatever. It's tragic... but thankfully math can get you a good job.

So STFU Andrew.

None of that went against what I was saying. Good post though.

I'm not talking about higher math for everyone, but alegbra and basic statistics are necessary to make good decisions every day.

I agree with that completely. But I do believe 5 - 10% of curriculum should be left open to things like music and arts.

[Diff-chan]

Well, STFU anyway.

Capitalism is built on mathematics. fv=pv(1+i)^n

most powerful formula in the universe, right there.

[Fe 26]

I doubt math has much to do with any of this minus payroll, budget and taxes.

here is all the shit that math does for you

builds products
runs the internet
figures out shipping
figures out taxes and everything else money wise
figures out safety ratings
predicts things like weather and how many kids will be named Andrew in the year 2007
mixes chemicals to make new things, like plastics and paint
makes modern weapons
does gps

the list goes on and on really. Just because 98% of the population doesn't know any math past fractions and division, doesn't mean it isn't used in everything.

Grammar is good to know no matter what, which is why students are usually forced in to more mandatory English credits than math or history.

Yes and it is taught so well.

"find the noun billy, find the noun. Did you find it? Good, now lets write our one book report of the year."

I wonder just how many people know the grammar rules, and just how many people write the way they speak and get by because they don't live around idiots like I do.

[MarsKitten]

I've always seen math as a requirement to being to manage one's money and budget. And poker.

[Diff-chan]

And Mortal Kombat.

[Fe 26]

Whats the damage that a bicycle kick does to scorpions head in 1.5 seconds?

[Melf]

Yes and it is taught so well.

"find the noun billy, find the noun. Did you find it? Good, now lets write our one book report of the year."

I wonder just how many people know the grammar rules, and just how many people write the way they speak and get by because they don't live around idiots like I do.

the list goes on and on really. Just because 98% of the population doesn't know any math past fractions and division, doesn't mean it isn't used in everything.

Apparently, the same amount that know math. I'm sure that many people don't know their grammar rules, just as many don't know math past fractions and decimals (if that). It isn't limited to just one subject. A survey in Time Magazine this year showed that more than 50% of high school students couldn't find Iraq or even NY state on a map, and 45% didn't know when WWII was.

[Yoshi]

Being in the job I am, I use math and grammar (in the form of white papersand e-mail) everyday. A fair number of people that earn anywhere from $50k to $100+k have almost no grasp of either, which is really a sad statement on our society. I have to read e-mail with absolutely painful butchering of the English language, and people are so enumerate that I could show them any random ass chart and tell them eating Cheeseburgers on Thursdays is statistically more dangerous tha any other day, and McDonald's stock would drop in an instant.

[Bacon McShig]

The stuff's being taught, it's just that few are willing to grade tough enough to ensure students actually understand it. Teachers nowadays need to be more willing to flunk students. Stop all this curved grade crap.

Math programs should adopt a heavier focus on teaching economics, algebra and trig are cool and all but basic knowledge of financial terms and planning would benefit everyone.

[Master]

If you have charm, charisma, and good looks, why does that mean you don't work hard? If you have all those things AND work hard you get double the rewards.

But yes, a lot of people can get everything they want in life without trying and others have to work double hard just to get to the status quo. I think it is has probably always been this way though. There isn't anything anybody can do about it.