3 ms·

Many people in society value practicality. Why should I do something if it doesn't directly benefit me in the physical sense? How will this make me more likable

by prawks 13y ago

Many people in society value practicality. Why should I do something if it doesn't directly benefit me in the physical sense? How will this make me more likable/valuable/wealthy? Theoretical studies like mathematics serve no purpose to people who view the world this way, except to qualify their earnings gained through other pursuits. Theory is something some smart guy with a big head does. "Normal people" are practical, and work with what is real. This sort of viewpoint is one reason (in my opinion, the reason) why many students give no effort in learning math, because it is "too hard", when "hard" means "different", and "different" equates to "not concrete/tangible".

return0 13y ago
Actually, from a practical viewpoint, learning math will make you more valuable and wealthy; not more likable or popular though. It is actually bound to make you more unpopular, and that is a big deal in the schoolyard microcosm.
Shivetya 13y ago
Sadly I am in this camp, I say sadly because part of me thinks that I should care more about math yet I don't. I program every day and I could give a flip about the math behind a circle. Business math for me is pretty much canned routines. I know where to get the formula I need should anything advanced come up, I don't usually care about why it works, only that it does work. I trust it works because the sources I use are trusted. There is a great benefit to teaching practical only, it engages people easier when they can see the immediate benefit. There will never be a shortage of those who want to know more on a give subject, maybe for this guy's sister he needs to find what moves her. Not everyone likes math, and even of those who do I wonder how many get to work with it
- gohrt 13y ago
  One day you will start to notice that not every source can be trusted. And you will need critical thinking skills and logic -- the underpinnings of mathematics -- to separate truth from lies. The specific formulas and structures of geometry and calculus math are irrelevant -- they are just examples that are universal across all cultures.

by prawks 13y ago

return0 13y ago

Actually, from a practical viewpoint, learning math will make you more valuable and wealthy; not more likable or popular though. It is actually bound to make you more unpopular, and that is a big deal in the schoolyard microcosm.

Shivetya 13y ago

Sadly I am in this camp, I say sadly because part of me thinks that I should care more about math yet I don't. I program every day and I could give a flip about the math behind a circle. Business math for me is pretty much canned routines. I know where to get the formula I need should anything advanced come up, I don't usually care about why it works, only that it does work. I trust it works because the sources I use are trusted. There is a great benefit to teaching practical only, it engages people easier when they can see the immediate benefit. There will never be a shortage of those who want to know more on a give subject, maybe for this guy's sister he needs to find what moves her. Not everyone likes math, and even of those who do I wonder how many get to work with it

gohrt 13y ago
One day you will start to notice that not every source can be trusted. And you will need critical thinking skills and logic -- the underpinnings of mathematics -- to separate truth from lies. The specific formulas and structures of geometry and calculus math are irrelevant -- they are just examples that are universal across all cultures.