From: "Jim Saklad" <jimdoc@me.com>
Sent: Friday, April 01, 2011 5:20 PM
To: <iPad@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: Re: [iPad] Ipad 1 and Ipad 2
>> It seems like they don't teach math any more because no one can do any
>> math in their head on even on paper. It seems like everyone need a
>> calculator.
>
> It is illiteracy for numbers - properly termed "innumeracy".
>
>
Which for some strange reason seems to be almost a source of *pride* for
some people -- but they'd never be so proud of not being able to read. Just
listen to the tone you often hear used when someone says "Oh, I'm no good at
math!", like it's some sort of accomplishment or something.
The looks I got, especially as a girl, when I actually *admitted* to being
"good at math" were often at best pitying ("poor child") & often like "how
odd". It certaily seemed to be considered "unfeminine" -- & is still seen as
a bit of an anomaly (note the tone in press coverage when a girl does well
in some sort of math or science fair or competition.)
My personal "not good at" was always "interpretation of poetry" which
I guess young ladies were supposed to be good at.
bj
p.s. I am not *not* NOT referring to anyone in particular, it's just
something I've noticed over the years.
