> Without cognitive skills behind them, though, [multiplication, reading] are not useful abilities. Maybe I misunderstand you, but I fail to see how multiplica

> Without cognitive skills behind them, though, [multiplication, reading] are not useful abilities. Maybe I misunderstand you, but I fail to see how multiplication or reading are not useful skills. Good reading comprehension will help you navigate life in general, which is something lots of people struggle with. Similar for multiplication. Even if someone is not very intelligent, if he's mastered a basic skill like that, he'll find lots of places to apply it. That's why there's so much emphasis in school on them.