4 ms·

I hit that wall at U.C. Berkeley over the English requirement. I didn't know how to write an essay on "Odysseus" and "The Iliad" and say something intelligent a

I hit that wall at U.C. Berkeley over the English requirement. I didn't know how to write an essay on "Odysseus" and "The Iliad" and say something intelligent about them. I was doing fine in math and physics. In retrospect, my high school English teachers focused on doing well on SAT's, not teaching me how to write. Parents: Make sure you're kids can write before they get out of high school because it's a crucial skill

CliffStoll 5y ago
Perhaps the most valuable classes I took were high school English. I'd never thought that writing weekly essays, compositions, and book reports would prepare me to write a book about computing. After seeing it on several best-seller lists, I called my high school English teacher and thanked him for all his time and encouragement. And not just writing: he made us perform Shakespeare. Really handy when you're interviewed on TV and have two minutes to summarize your book. Or when you're invited to do a keynote speech at a conference. Yep, I learned to code in 1965 (assembler & Fortran II on our high school's IBM-1620). Learned calculus, organic chem, and basic electronics as well. But nothing came close to three years of terrific (and challenging) high school English classes.
- mwattsun 5y ago
  I thank your English teachers too because your book is one of my favorite books and an example for me of excellent writing. You told a good story and to me that is the most important thing.
jrockway 5y ago
A better curriculum would meet you halfway. Write about physics or math, not about ancient classics. I remember kids in school complaining about math, "we're never going to use this!" Analyzing ancient literature is something you're actually never going to use.
- mwattsun 5y ago
  You just gave me an idea because I like ancient history. I'll pretend I'm a freshman and actually write an essay on one of those books. I was never able to do it and failed the class. I've always felt bad about it. Actually writing the essay might be a cathartic experience! I'm retired, I have the time.
  - jimbob45 5y ago
    Do it right if you’re gonna do it and write it at midnight with an alarm set for 7am the next day.
  - wolverine876 5y ago
    That's great. Maybe take a class!
- Mezzie 5y ago
  > Analyzing ancient literature is something you're actually never going to use. Ancient literature, yes, but there are a frightening amount of people who could deal with a reintroduction to ideas like 'unreliable narrators' in the age of social media.
- wolverine876 5y ago
  > I remember kids in school complaining about math, "we're never going to use this!" Analyzing ancient literature is something you're actually never going to use. Just like any particular math course, you probably won't use your analysis of ancient literature directly. But school isn't training; it's not about learning direct skills, like a training course in a new application at work. It's about learning how to think critically, using may different tools, and about learning about the world. By analyzing ancient literature, you gain several things: You gain ability in thinking critically about texts - possibly the most essential skill in a post-truth Internet world where we are deluged by texts of varying intentions and truth. You gain skill in writing, by studying how the best authors before you wrote. And not least, you gain exposure to a culture and ideas far outside your own, giving you context and perspective on humanity and on your own culture and ideas.
onetokeoverthe 5y ago

CliffStoll 5y ago

Perhaps the most valuable classes I took were high school English. I'd never thought that writing weekly essays, compositions, and book reports would prepare me to write a book about computing. After seeing it on several best-seller lists, I called my high school English teacher and thanked him for all his time and encouragement. And not just writing: he made us perform Shakespeare. Really handy when you're interviewed on TV and have two minutes to summarize your book. Or when you're invited to do a keynote speech at a conference. Yep, I learned to code in 1965 (assembler & Fortran II on our high school's IBM-1620). Learned calculus, organic chem, and basic electronics as well. But nothing came close to three years of terrific (and challenging) high school English classes.

mwattsun 5y ago
I thank your English teachers too because your book is one of my favorite books and an example for me of excellent writing. You told a good story and to me that is the most important thing.

jrockway 5y ago

A better curriculum would meet you halfway. Write about physics or math, not about ancient classics. I remember kids in school complaining about math, "we're never going to use this!" Analyzing ancient literature is something you're actually never going to use.

mwattsun 5y ago
You just gave me an idea because I like ancient history. I'll pretend I'm a freshman and actually write an essay on one of those books. I was never able to do it and failed the class. I've always felt bad about it. Actually writing the essay might be a cathartic experience! I'm retired, I have the time.
- jimbob45 5y ago
  Do it right if you’re gonna do it and write it at midnight with an alarm set for 7am the next day.
- wolverine876 5y ago
  That's great. Maybe take a class!
Mezzie 5y ago
> Analyzing ancient literature is something you're actually never going to use. Ancient literature, yes, but there are a frightening amount of people who could deal with a reintroduction to ideas like 'unreliable narrators' in the age of social media.
wolverine876 5y ago
> I remember kids in school complaining about math, "we're never going to use this!" Analyzing ancient literature is something you're actually never going to use. Just like any particular math course, you probably won't use your analysis of ancient literature directly. But school isn't training; it's not about learning direct skills, like a training course in a new application at work. It's about learning how to think critically, using may different tools, and about learning about the world. By analyzing ancient literature, you gain several things: You gain ability in thinking critically about texts - possibly the most essential skill in a post-truth Internet world where we are deluged by texts of varying intentions and truth. You gain skill in writing, by studying how the best authors before you wrote. And not least, you gain exposure to a culture and ideas far outside your own, giving you context and perspective on humanity and on your own culture and ideas.

onetokeoverthe 5y ago