Does math have big scary teeth or something?
An interesting discussion over at Metafilter addresses a question I hear often in math classes: “What is the point of this?” Different teachers will answer this differently with their own degree of applicability and specificity, but I usually refer back to the idea of critical thinking and problem solving – doing math isn’t just about memorizing equations and processes, it’s about approaching a problem logically, and using the provided tools to construct a feasible solution. One of the posts in the thread: I don’t think the main cause has anything to do with Math or Science per se. Someone upthread said that there’s a profound anti-intellectual trend in America. I agree, but I think it specifically takes the form of A DISDAIN FOR PROBLEM-SOLVING SKILLS IN ACADEMIC SUBJECTS. This is just as true when it comes to Shakespeare as when it comes to Math. The life-goal in America seems to be to get a well-paying job in which you don’t need to think very much. I doubt this is a conscious goal,
