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Over here we have the digital clock idiots, that cannot read an analog clock. This constitutes a higher level of idiocy than not being able to write kanji (kno

Over here we have the digital clock idiots, that cannot read an analog clock. This constitutes a higher level of idiocy than not being able to write kanji (knowing each kanji stroke order, having good calligraphy).

jeroenhd 4y ago
With the way things are going, reading analogue clocks is about as useful as reading Roman numerals. Something culturally relevant that's taught (and probably should be taught) to everyone in school, but not something that's actually useful in real life. Don't blame kids and the younger generations for the bad education their elders have given them. Reading analogue clocks is hardly a difficult test, but it's impossible to expect someone who's never been taught to to just "know" that clocks are three rudimentary base-12 progress bars how far along the current half of the day we are; it's just not intuitive. It's like IT people complaining that kids these days don't even know how to fax anymore, society is moving on and old skills will disappear and become niches as a result. It's a shame for the Japanese/Chinese culture that this relatively unique cultural aspect is disappearing, but I'm also quite surprised it has taken so long since the introduction of foreign alphabets.
- 29athrowaway 4y ago
  Many analog clocks have roman numerals.
- Falkon1313 4y ago
  On the contrary, I find analog clocks more intuitive. They graphically and clearly represent locations within the cycle of time. I just wish 24-hour clocks/watches were more common. I think much of the confusion some people have must come from abbreviating it to 12 hours that each happen twice a day, which is obviously nonsense.
  - Izkata 4y ago
    Likewise here. I tell the time by the shape of the hands, not by reading what they're pointing to. I can glance at an analog clock and instantly tell how long it is until something, but it takes a moment to actually translate the current time to something I can say to another person. Also because I use the shape instead of the numbers, I sometimes have trouble with digital clocks, and have to mentally translate the numbers into an analog clock face before I understand what it's telling me.

jeroenhd 4y ago

With the way things are going, reading analogue clocks is about as useful as reading Roman numerals. Something culturally relevant that's taught (and probably should be taught) to everyone in school, but not something that's actually useful in real life. Don't blame kids and the younger generations for the bad education their elders have given them. Reading analogue clocks is hardly a difficult test, but it's impossible to expect someone who's never been taught to to just "know" that clocks are three rudimentary base-12 progress bars how far along the current half of the day we are; it's just not intuitive. It's like IT people complaining that kids these days don't even know how to fax anymore, society is moving on and old skills will disappear and become niches as a result. It's a shame for the Japanese/Chinese culture that this relatively unique cultural aspect is disappearing, but I'm also quite surprised it has taken so long since the introduction of foreign alphabets.

29athrowaway 4y ago
Many analog clocks have roman numerals.
Falkon1313 4y ago
On the contrary, I find analog clocks more intuitive. They graphically and clearly represent locations within the cycle of time. I just wish 24-hour clocks/watches were more common. I think much of the confusion some people have must come from abbreviating it to 12 hours that each happen twice a day, which is obviously nonsense.
- Izkata 4y ago
  Likewise here. I tell the time by the shape of the hands, not by reading what they're pointing to. I can glance at an analog clock and instantly tell how long it is until something, but it takes a moment to actually translate the current time to something I can say to another person. Also because I use the shape instead of the numbers, I sometimes have trouble with digital clocks, and have to mentally translate the numbers into an analog clock face before I understand what it's telling me.