The History of Math

[tnichols]

Whoa Rowdy! Nightshift at my store is from AFTER school until 9:30PM. Perfectly legal. I don't have a 3rd shift and in the summer and when school is out, we still close at 10:00 everynight so everyone goes home around 10:30 The main point I was trying to make is that there are some teenagers who think they know all there is to know about life and make stupid choices. Then there are those who understand they still have much to learn. These go out and try to learn all they can in order to make a better life for themselves.
As for what I expected....well I hoped that the seniors that will graduate in a few months could at least count back change. I was disappointed once again.

[palanon]

I just spent a couple of frustrating hours researching this topic. Depending on who's study I look at you get wild swing's in numbers ( can you say agenda ? ). Since WWII the U.S. has made unbelievable strides in Ed. Thru the 50's 60's and 70's we built an education system 2nd to none ( well, maybe a few ). However, over the last 15 years reading, math and science scores have dropped. The U.S. is ranked 10th out of the top 17 ( or 19 ) nations in education. Math & science 15th. Illiteracy rate 1% functional illiteracy 10%

I didn't bother to put links in because of the wild swings in numbers depending on the agenda of the sites. U.N. studies, ethnic & race numbers, teacher assn. and let's not forget the honest folk in the U.S. Dept. of Statistics. Jesh... now I remember why I don't bid Government contracts anymore.

[dragbar]

Originally Posted by Trapper

THAT'S why you didn't get a Harley!

Trapper you just wouldn't believe how true that statement is..lol I do have a full socket set now of standards for my truck...but on occasion I still have to go buy a standard wrench or socket cause I have so few..lol

[MagnumForce]

One cannot help but marvel at the technological advances that made our lives more comfortable. However, can we truly say that our lives are easier today than they were yesterday? How can it be if both parents have to be employed to ensure the financial well being of their families? How about a family's quality time? Is that only reserved for the weekends? Why has it come to a point where parents depend on schools and television to practically raise their children? Our lives are more comfortable today because it takes less effort to accomplish many routine tasks. However, the demands our society places upon us does not necessarily make our lives easier. If that weren't the case, then parents would actually have the energy to mentor their children rather than deal with the various sleeping disorders. There, I'm stepping off the soapbox too!

[robertc729]

Originally Posted by EZridr1

There, I'm stepping off the soapbox too!

My foot keeps coming off the ground in an attempt to get back up there, but I'm fighting with it to give others a chance at it. lol

[palanon]

Oh no... from education to economics !!!

[drgibson]

So do you think that this generation will learn from the mistakes of the past generations? Do you think that they will use reason and look at where we are now and try to change by not doing the things that the former generations have not been able to do? Do you think that they will be able to be less self centered, choosing for the better of all instead of looking out for they own self interest?

I'm not trying be cynical I really feel that as the generations have past we have all become less adept at making the smart choices. I have made poor choices in my life. I know what it is like to not have anything no job no money and two little mouths to feed and it was my decision making process that got me into that position. It’s time for a wake up call we are not living in Nirvana. We need to try to get through to those that we are responsible for so that they don’t make the same mistakes we have or even worse ones.

BTW I have always been good at math but ...

[blackie1491]

Rowdy
A lot of people working night shift for me, did so, as it gave them the time in the day to carry on with their education.
My son worked night shift for several years as he paid his way thru education in advanced technology. I attended my courses at nights while I worked days.

We all generalize as we speak, but disputing those comments with statements like old codger, is a little out of line.

Some of us improve with age, just like a fine wine.
Perhaps some day you may enjoy one yourself.

[palanon]

" Those who fail to heed the past are doomed to repeat it " or somethin' like that. But, we'll get on o.k.

[MagnumForce]

I say just do the best you can to get your thoughts through to your children. However, you cannot deny that they will make mistakes. It's part of the growing up process. What is important is that they learn from those mistakes so that they are not doomed to repeat them again. It also helps when you are there to lend your experience and your support. Years down the road, they will become wiser, thank you, and have conversations with you how their children will be making the same mistakes they did when they were younger. Yup, as the old saying goes, history repeats itself.

[drgibson]

See I love all my gadgets but every time I get something new to "Help me free up time" and it does I just find new ways to occupy it. It is the same way at work when we find a better way of doing something we just pile more on. Yes we accomplish much more in a day then they did in the '50s but at what cost. Office related injuries, mental stress, we had a manager rent a hotel and jump off an 11th story balcony. By all appearances she had everything going for here yet... she still felt the need to try to end it all. Well she failed, she hit a tree on her way down and she is still going through Physical Therapy and can barely walk. She jumped over a year ago.

[The Teach]

Originally Posted by RowdyRed94

For someone who calls himself "The Teach", I'd think you'd be more analytical than that. You've taken one sensationalistic headline and turned it into a nasty internet rumor.

I can do that, too. U.S. High School Graduation Rate Hits All-time High

It was actually a question. Ergo the question mark. I'll stay out of your conversations from now on.

[Clint]

EZ, a family can live just fine on one income if they forego the cell phones, SUV's, mocha-lattes, big-screens, yadda yadda yadda. We don't need the majority of the crap we buy to be happy, and the simple fact that none of it existed in the 50's makes the difference.

Teach, it came across as rhetorical. It's just lively debate. No need to take your ball and go home, but whatever cranks your boat.

[sunny]

as the mom of more than one high school dropout...

i always taught my kids that education was THE way to success. unfortunately, the school administration itself decided that attempting to educate my less than perfectly docile kids was too much of a hassle and ENCOURAGED them to leave school. bear in mind that they were NOT discipline problems at school.

"take the short cut! get your GED and then you can go straight to college!"

[sunny]

Originally Posted by RowdyRed94

EZ, a family can live just fine on one income if they forego the cell phones, SUV's, mocha-lattes, big-screens, yadda yadda yadda. We don't need the majority of the crap we buy to be happy, and the simple fact that none of it existed in the 50's makes the difference.

that depends completely on the size of the family, the type of employment of the one wage earner, and what they consider necessary.

i have a white collar job and i make average for my job. in order to live comfortably(no credit cards, no cable, no AC, no central heat, no landline anymore, yet in an adequately sized house) i live 50 miles away from my work. the cost of the commute added into the cost of housing i already pay would not get me a quarter of the space near where i work in a comparably safe neighborhood.
if i got a local job i'd be living so far under the poverty level it'd be a part time job just to keep welfare benefits going to make ends meet.

[Clint]

Yeah, my generalization was just that. I'm paying the bills with one income, but not by much. Savings for retirement is a constant struggle since we lost our 401k plans.

[Trapper]

With your web skills you should be making two incomes on your own.

[tlwisner]

Originally Posted by HAMMERPETE

Oh you should have seen the news blip locally. They gathered up ten seniors.
They asked them all the same math question. What is 25% of $1?
2 out of the 10 got it right. Ha! and they want to raise the minimum wage....

It's not nice to make fun of old people.

[Trapper]

Originally Posted by tlwisner

It's not nice to make fun of old people.

I read it that way the first time too.

[tlwisner]

Originally Posted by sunny

i always taught my kids that education was THE way to success. unfortunately, the school administration itself decided that attempting to educate my less than perfectly docile kids was too much of a hassle and ENCOURAGED them to leave school.

Public schools spend a lot of money to be as bad as they are. They are only content if your kids are on Ritalin. Oh yeah, no more recess for the young kids. Drugs instead....