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I’ve never understand why people bitch about having to study math, but are seemingly fine studying history, literature, etc., which are just as useless in every

I’ve never understand why people bitch about having to study math, but are seemingly fine studying history, literature, etc., which are just as useless in everyday life.

_yb2s 4y ago
because those don't take as much effort as math
pshc 4y ago
My take is that studying history and literature aids in understanding human behavior and connecting with different people, valuable in many situations, but not sufficient by itself as having hard skills/opportunity/leverage/etc are just as important.
- asdff 4y ago
  Reading good writing also helps you write better. It makes you a better communicator no matter where you find yourself in life.
almenon 4y ago
Studying history is extremely important for doing your civic duty as a citizen and voting.
- School-Cotton 4y ago
  So is quantitative thinking, in fact I think it’s more important.
  - asdff 4y ago
    You can get that without calc
- shultays 4y ago
  This would make sense if they teached recent history, which was at least not part of our curriculum and not to mention even if it was, it would be even more "regulated" But no, at least in where I lived (Turkey) the history classes are ancient history, then some Turkish civilizations in Anatolia, Ottomans and early Turkey history. Then we have like a 60-70 years of empty space. Is this different for other countries?
yamtaddle 4y ago
Various forms of entertainment are typically much improved by significant history and higher-level literacy training. People like entertainment. High school math's only helpful for entertainment if you like recreational math puzzles or maybe Factorio or something. You'll notice it takes far less convincing to get kids to understand the value of addition and arithmetic and maybe even very basic algebra. This is because they can immediately use it for play and entertainment. You're locked out of a ton of board games, even, if you can't do simple arithmetic with small numbers. "How much more money do I need to buy that video game I want?" is a question they're motivated to answer. When it's common for people to encounter and eagerly choose to engage with entertainment the enjoyment of which is greatly enhanced by knowing how to find a second derivative, I expect math will stop being particularly prone to this kind of scrutiny.

I’ve never understand why people bitch about having to study math, but are seemingly fine studying history, literature, etc., which are just as useless in everyday life.

_yb2s 4y ago

because those don't take as much effort as math

pshc 4y ago

My take is that studying history and literature aids in understanding human behavior and connecting with different people, valuable in many situations, but not sufficient by itself as having hard skills/opportunity/leverage/etc are just as important.

asdff 4y ago
Reading good writing also helps you write better. It makes you a better communicator no matter where you find yourself in life.

almenon 4y ago

Studying history is extremely important for doing your civic duty as a citizen and voting.

School-Cotton 4y ago
So is quantitative thinking, in fact I think it’s more important.
- asdff 4y ago
  You can get that without calc
shultays 4y ago
This would make sense if they teached recent history, which was at least not part of our curriculum and not to mention even if it was, it would be even more "regulated" But no, at least in where I lived (Turkey) the history classes are ancient history, then some Turkish civilizations in Anatolia, Ottomans and early Turkey history. Then we have like a 60-70 years of empty space. Is this different for other countries?

yamtaddle 4y ago

Various forms of entertainment are typically much improved by significant history and higher-level literacy training. People like entertainment. High school math's only helpful for entertainment if you like recreational math puzzles or maybe Factorio or something. You'll notice it takes far less convincing to get kids to understand the value of addition and arithmetic and maybe even very basic algebra. This is because they can immediately use it for play and entertainment. You're locked out of a ton of board games, even, if you can't do simple arithmetic with small numbers. "How much more money do I need to buy that video game I want?" is a question they're motivated to answer. When it's common for people to encounter and eagerly choose to engage with entertainment the enjoyment of which is greatly enhanced by knowing how to find a second derivative, I expect math will stop being particularly prone to this kind of scrutiny.