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ljbrs
SFN Regular
USA
842 Posts |
 Posted - 06/05/2001 : 20:44:24 [Permalink]
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I confess. I changed my vote from Biology to Math, although I realize that Biology requires mathematics (as do all sciences). However, a scientist would need to study mathematics FIRST, and continue on with it, because mathematics is the LANGUAGE OF SCIENCE.
Before any sciences; therefore, mathematics would be more important as a prerequisite for all sciences, as well as having immense importance of its own. On the other hand, anybody studying only ONE subject would turn out to be exceedingly ignorant of everything else. So, perhaps it is a meaningless question.
It is important to remember that there are many mathematicians who are anti-scientific (many of those often believing that SCIENTISTS MISUSE MATHEMATICS). So, mathematics alone will not produce the right results. Creationists can be mathematicians without batting an eye.
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I think that Atomic's "History" was a great choice because: "Those who do not remember the past are doomed to repeat it." (I believe that the popular historian, Arnold Toynbee, wrote it.) However, I could be wrong about that. Also, it may not be a completely correct quotation.
ljbrs
If you KNEW better, you'd DO better.
Edited by - ljbrs on 06/05/2001 21:15:50
Edited by - ljbrs on 08/05/2001 16:53:52 |
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Snake
SFN Addict
USA
2511 Posts |
Posted - 06/05/2001 : 21:09:09 [Permalink]
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quote:
I think that Atomic's "History" was a great choice because: "Those who do not remember the past are doomed to repeat it." (I believe that the popular historian, Arnold Toynbee, wrote it.) However, I could be wrong about that. Also, it may not be a correct quotation.
ljbrs
''Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.''
George Santayana (1863-1952)
from:
http://www.gunnar.cc/quotes/text.html
Although I've heard that, that quote has been paraphrased by other famous people.
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@tomic
Administrator
USA
4607 Posts |
Posted - 06/05/2001 : 21:26:44 [Permalink]
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Yes it was indeed Santayana. Weren't those words somewhere at the Jonestown cult compound?
@tomic
Gravity, not just a good idea...it's the law! |
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Snake
SFN Addict
USA
2511 Posts |
Posted - 06/05/2001 : 22:23:58 [Permalink]
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quote:
Yes it was indeed Santayana. Weren't those words somewhere at the Jonestown cult compound?
@tomic
Gravity, not just a good idea...it's the law!
Hum? I don't recall hearing anything about that. Oh wait! It's kind of coming back. Maybe something about Jim Jones moving there to get away from the past! Gees, that was a long time ago.
That whole mess was scary and to think a crazy person like that could twist the words of a great philosopher. |
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Tokyodreamer
SFN Regular
USA
1447 Posts |
Posted - 06/06/2001 : 09:06:01 [Permalink]
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There's one class that I'd definitely vote for were it on the list: Critical Thinking. If they can think critically, they'll realize how important all the other subjects are, and will learn them on their own. If we ever have kids, I think the Skeptic's Dictionary will be one of the first books (hopefully it will be in print by then, if not, I'll print the whole thing out!) my child gets from me!
By the way, has anyone read Robert Carrol's "How to be a Critical Thinker" that he advertises on www.skepdic.com ?
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Gambatte kudasai!
Edited by - tokyodreamer on 06/06/2001 09:06:58 |
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Lisa
SFN Regular
USA
1223 Posts |
Posted - 06/06/2001 : 13:52:39 [Permalink]
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Oh yes! I check out skeptics dictionary all the time for updates too. I think I've probably read everything on the site. I'd love to see the whole thing printed as a book.
Lisa
Chaos...Confusion...Destruction...My Work Here Is Done |
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rubysue
Skeptic Friend
USA
199 Posts |
Posted - 06/06/2001 : 22:04:11 [Permalink]
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I decided to finally jump into this topic, although I have no children to worry about (thank goodness, in this day and age when fundies push for creationism in schools and peer pressure turns kids into warring camps of hatemongers).
When I voted in the poll, I voted for "Literature",e.g., English (or any dominant language of the area where you live). If you cannot express yourself properly or understand concepts and ideas when you read or hear them, then all other subjects are naturally incomprehensible (including, or especially, mathematics, which is a true "foreign" language in every sense of the word). Proper language usage, IMHO, opens the doors to effective comparative analysis of ideas, critical thinking, and obvious respectability.
Recall that I noted on the BABB, more than once, that the hoax trolls (with a few exceptions; there are always exceptions) are characterized by their poor spelling and grammar and inability to string complete sentences together. They can also be characterized as a group without a sense of humor! In contrast, the regular BABB debunkers (including some who are not native English speakers) are capable of witty commentary, incisive analysis and inductive/deductive reasoning. Having a true sense of humor is another obvious benefit when you learn about and fall in love with language.
Now if language is conquered, all other subjects flow naturally through the mind, including the challenging world of mathematics. Science is invigorating, history is enlightening, music and the arts are engaging, philosophy is thrilling, and current events/politics are compelling. All ideas in our world flow from the words.
On to another subject from this topic: Posted earlier in this thread was the assertion that television can be used to educate children. I must respectfully disagree with this premise. I believe children must first be taught to be discerning and critical and understand the nuances of language and culture, particularly when a medium such as television is consistently defining the "state of the art" of psychological manipulation. Don't get me wrong, television can be an excellent tool for learning, but you never get the "full story". If I had a child who wanted to watch television, I would ensure that many other means of education were also made available (books and periodicals, guided internet searches, libraries, etc.) and that any subject seen on television would be evaluated and critiqued through other reference sources. Don't get me wrong, I can "couch potato" with the best of them (especially if it's "Law and Order" or "The Sopranos"; I also confess to enjoying "The X-Files" - no rocks please). But television is a reward at this point of my life after a long day at work and after I spend time learning.
Comments?
rubysue
If your head is wax, don't walk in the sun.
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Snake
SFN Addict
USA
2511 Posts |
Posted - 06/07/2001 : 03:17:11 [Permalink]
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quote:
I believe children must first be taught to be discerning and critical and understand the nuances of language and culture,
Comments?
rubysue
What exactly does that mean? They learn as they go. It's not like a class for one semester, then they know all there is.
All I can say about TV is what I saw in my own life. Which I think is not so different then anyone else IF they'd do it. And that is, I don't read. Takes me years to finish one book. If it was up to me to read to my kid, he'd never have gotten to Kindergarden. He watched TV and started reading by 3 and therefore was ready to have a good and prepared expierence in school. The director of the school accused us of 'pushing' the kid to read. We took him out of that school because she didn't know what she was talking about. He did it all by himself. TV does help. |
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rubysue
Skeptic Friend
USA
199 Posts |
Posted - 06/07/2001 : 07:36:39 [Permalink]
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Thank you for your reply. You have proven my point. I don't believe my commentary requires a translation.
rubysue
If your head is wax, don't walk in the sun.
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ljbrs
SFN Regular
USA
842 Posts |
Posted - 06/17/2001 : 21:49:54 [Permalink]
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Then again, if students were only to take classes in one subject, they would end up pretty ignorant...
ljbrs
They wouldn't know better, and therefore wouldn't do better...
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Snake
SFN Addict
USA
2511 Posts |
Posted - 06/17/2001 : 22:48:56 [Permalink]
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quote:
Then again, if students were only to take classes in one subject, they would end up pretty ignorant...
ljbrs
They wouldn't know better, and therefore wouldn't do better...
How intelligent of you to notice that. And that's the way schools used to teach years ago. But, at least here in California, they've been eliminating so many subjects and changing the requirements for graduation.
Art for example, has so many areas of knowledge incorporated into it [history, chemistry, math and more] yet they've taken that out of many required credits to graduate. It's too bad the so called educators don't know what you've just said. |
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@tomic
Administrator
USA
4607 Posts |
Posted - 06/28/2001 : 14:26:20 [Permalink]
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Hey! PE got some votes!!
@tomic
Gravity, not just a good idea...it's the law! |
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Snake
SFN Addict
USA
2511 Posts |
Posted - 06/28/2001 : 16:46:23 [Permalink]
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quote:
Hey! PE got some votes!!
@tomic
I told you, that was me!
Even thought Basketball and Golf are a couple of the stupidest games, along with soccor and hocky, I had to vote for PE, because Skylar was on the school golf team. And since he has a high IQ, the other stuff doesn't matter anyway.
BTW,  he's graduating TODAY. |
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@tomic
Administrator
USA
4607 Posts |
Posted - 06/28/2001 : 18:51:40 [Permalink]
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What did he he devote most of his study to? Dribbling or the free throw?
@tomic
Gravity, not just a good idea...it's the law! |
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Snake
SFN Addict
USA
2511 Posts |
Posted - 06/29/2001 : 02:06:57 [Permalink]
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quote:
What did he he devote most of his study to? Dribbling or the free throw?
@tomic
@ are you talking about Skylar? In golf it's swinging and putting.
Accidmeics is just facts, so you don't have to go to school for that. If you need to know something you can look it up anytime.
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