Rich - I think it really is a bit more complicated than that. There is a lot of stuff from 5th and 6th grade that I don't remember, and a lot that I do. I am pretty convinced that at least part of it is how a person's brain is wired [for lack of a better term]. I could not ever comprehend calculus at a HS level, but had a 105 average score in Geometry. That stuff just made sense to me almost as soon as I looked at it. My darling wife, with a much higher IQ than mine, could never figure out geometry. Two of my daughters had a pretty easy time with physics and calculus and such, the other one gets a bit glassy eyed at the stuff. I remember the basic formula for figuring out this problem, but I could not do it with enough assurance to be confident in the answer I got or be willing to act on my answer. Ask me to speak to a group of a few or a few hundred on development or hunger issues and I wouldn't bat an eye, though I'd prefer at least an hour to prepare. I am told a lot of people don't like public speaking - can't understand that as it is such fun. Most all of us would cower at the idea of spending a day with the folks Wonko deals with on a daily basis. I'd much rather find someone who can figure out a relatively simple math problem for him and keep him where he is so I don't need to do what he does. I am really happy there are people in the world who can do the engineering and higher math, but I am not one of them and my secondary education is not really to blame.
Having said all that I do think you are for the most part absolutely correct that our education system is screwed up. It forces teachers to spend most of their time with the students who don't want to be there, and they have to neglect direction and guidance for average and good students. We really need a major overhaul of our education system. I just want it to include some flexibility so that people with certain hardwired skill sets that are different from the educational norm = such as mine with higher math and physics - can get some real basics in those areas and also move on to college/graduate level work. BillR -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Rich Thomas Sent: Friday, July 11, 2008 4:06 PM To: Mercedes Discussion List Subject: Re: [MBZ] math question for you smart folks I don't know, but I kinda think that if someone does not know how to do such a simple calculation (which I believe is taught in maybe the 5th or 6th grade), that is a significant commentary on our society, and it is no wonder our asses are getting kicked by Indians and Chinese and Japanese who have some minimal expectations of their children's educational abilities. Nothing personal I guess, as it is just too pervasive, but perhaps it should be taken that way. I guess Obama will Change all that too, we can only Hope and Believe. My wife has this sign on the fridge, "Be the change you want to see in the world" which I think is from Gandhi. --R _______________________________________ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com _______________________________________ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
