3 ms·

Really? Do you personally, or any layman you know of, benefit from knowing the Krebs cycle, or whether schist is igneous or metamorphic?

• mlyle 5y ago
  > benefit from knowing the Krebs cycle Yes! I know about aerobic and anaerobic respiration. I know about the different ways things break down as a result. I can understand why getting a deep puncture wound is dangerous as a result. I can read scientific journals about related topics. I have an understanding of basic metabolism, so that when I'm confronted by having a metabolic disorder I can know what it means. When people talk about keto, I can draw on this knowledge. When we discuss lactic acid fermentation in tissues, and the controversy about whether this is a primary cause of muscle soreness, I understand that too! > whether schist is igneous or metamorphic? I enjoy knowing about the basics of geology, but it's not been of too much utility to me other than recreation. On the other hand, basic geological knowledge is helpful to a fair number of occupations. But the whole point is to expose people to many things so they can find what interests them and that they're good at.
  • actfrench 5y ago
    What about the benefit and joy of learning itself?!!
    • mlyle 5y ago
      :D I tend to forget that one, as I'm spoiled by my students to have an already-curious group with the assumption that something interesting is going to happen when they first come into my room. (Maybe not the thing they'd most prefer to do, but at least something interesting).