Preserving the Old Ways

**Rick** · 04-05-2009, 11:35 AM

I sat down this morning and wrote out a couple of checks. I instinctively grabbed the calculator to do some pretty simple calculations. Then it dawned on me. If I want to preserve the old ways I might try by performing mathematics in my head. We've taught ourselves to push buttons and no longer perform those calculations mentally. It's a small task but understanding and practicing mathematics is the basis for most of the things we do.

Just a thought.

**Ken** · 04-05-2009, 11:42 AM

Originally Posted by Rick

I sat down this morning and wrote out a couple of checks. I instinctively grabbed the calculator to do some pretty simple calculations. Then it dawned on me. If I want to preserve the old ways I might try by performing mathematics in my head. We've taught ourselves to push buttons and no longer perform those calculations mentally. It's a small task but understanding and practicing mathematics is the basis for most of the things we do.

Just a thought.

Please, please, please, leave enough checks for the Mrs. to write. My check arrived a few days ago, but there's always next month to consider.

**wareagle69** · 04-05-2009, 12:03 PM

you doing things mentally eh? hmm well folks its been nice knowing ya but if he's going mental i'm outta here.

ha just kidding but still rick really, why.

**Beans** · 04-05-2009, 12:10 PM

Then it dawned on me. If I want to preserve the old ways I might try by performing mathematics in my head.

I would bet your one of those people that practice telling time with one of the old fashion watches/clocks that has those skinny things that move from one number to another.

**tennecedar** · 04-05-2009, 12:57 PM

I agree that as times change(better or worse?) we tend to take the technological route more and more. I've noticed that not only is my mathmatics rusty, my penmanship is horrible. I didn't write like I do now in school. I'm beginning to think it's a lost art.

**Rick** · 04-05-2009, 12:59 PM

Truth be told I have 64 clocks. All wind. Most work. My father started collecting clocks in the mid-60s and it just carried over. From Big Bens to Mantles to Kitchen to Grandfather. And no, I don't own a digital watch.

EDIT:

Originally Posted by Tennecedar

my penmanship is horrible

Amen, brother. About the only time I write is a check.

**Alpine_Sapper** · 04-05-2009, 01:13 PM

Originally Posted by Rick

I sat down this morning and wrote out a couple of checks. I instinctively grabbed the calculator to do some pretty simple calculations. Then it dawned on me. If I want to preserve the old ways I might try by performing mathematics in my head. We've taught ourselves to push buttons and no longer perform those calculations mentally. It's a small task but understanding and practicing mathematics is the basis for most of the things we do.

Just a thought.

we're not turning you into a neo-luddite are we Rick?

All joking aside, great point. It's pretty much a given that if you don't use the intellectual skills you gain you will lose them.

How many of you that don't work in a field where you do trig or calculus all the time could sit down faced with a problem and solve it? (No search engines or text books?)
I know I couldn't.

While those are the more complex examples, over time the simpler stuff starts getting
pushed out too.

**RangerXanatos** · 04-05-2009, 05:06 PM

Math is the subject that I was hired to tutor. Though I tutor other things as well. But you will be surprised how many people are not capable to do mental math. I have students that need calculators for simple addition/subtraction. Literally, 1+1 kind of stuff. Some of them have graduated to fingers. Some of them are not capable anymore mentally, others are just too lazy. Mostly the latter. For some reason they don't appreciate it when I make them think. Often times I will ask them to give me an educated guess and they will give a random guess, when I ask why they chose the answer they did, they reply, "I don't know." But you can tell the sincere ones that ARE trying to really learn. Just last week, I had a woman intensly thank me, because she knew that without me, she would have never been able to get her GED not being in school for so many years. I have had students come back after completing the class, or a certain test, just wanting to shake my hand and thank me. But like I tell them, "if you don't use it, you lose it." I also explain to them in the upper math classes that they probably won't ever use what they learn. But what the math is teaching you is to take steps. You can't always go from A to D. Sometimes you need to go from A to B, B to C, and then C to D. Just like life.

Daniel

**Rick** · 04-05-2009, 05:43 PM

Originally Posted by Ranger

But what the math is teaching you is to take steps. You can't always go from A to D. Sometimes you need to go from A to B, B to C, and then C to D. Just like life.

I know you meant to say A+B-[C+D]. Probably a typo.

**tsitenha** · 04-05-2009, 05:45 PM

I know you meant to say A+B-[C+D]. Probably a typo.

I thought we were talking about math, not typing..... sheeesh

**RangerXanatos** · 04-05-2009, 06:00 PM

e^(pi*i)+1 = 0

What, huh?

**Rick** · 04-05-2009, 06:17 PM

Since this is a wilderness forum I guess that's a Euler Gibbons formula? Euell Gibbons? Euler Formula?

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Sometimes I slay myself. I really do.