Dumbing our kids down, damning their future

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The 2010 Presidential Elections

• 2010 Presidentiables and Surveys
• Choosing the Palace Successor: Philippine Presidential Elections 2010
• What The?! Obama of the Philippines? Please.
• 10 Reasons Why I’m Not Voting Noli de Castro for Philippine President in 2010, and Why I Think You Shouldn’t Either
• Philippine Presidential Elections 2010 Amidst Economic Crisis — The Boon and the Bane
• And My Vote for Philippine President Come 2010 Goes To…
• Podcast: Whose Game Is It Anyway? (On the 2010 Elections Survey Results)
• Behind Frosted Glass: Uncovering the “Man” in Manny Villar
• Manny Villar: The Usual Villain?!
• Because Every Filipino Just Needs A Break
• Anyone But Willie Revillame, Please.
• Withdrawal of Support to “Manny Villar for President in 2010″
• Podcast: A MARvelous Day for Liberal Party: Roxas withdraws presidential bid in favor of Aquino
• Panic In Hell’s Kitchen: LAKAS-KAMPI-CMD may not be as smug as they portray re: 2010 elections
• Who Will Win in the 2010 Presidential Elections?
• Jose De Venecia III is running for senator after all
• Getting Paid for Writing Crap (and disclosing it)
• Dear SWS, re: 3rd Quarter survey results released October 14, 2009
• Just How Ready Are We For Elections Automation in 2010?
• The Problem with Noynoy
• In Response to @Cocoy re: Noynoy
• DILG Sec. Puno, are you for real?
• Dumbing our kids down, damning their future
• Dissecting Gibo Teodoro and his viability for 2010
• Gibo should bolt out too
• Arroyo is resigning from Lakas-Kampi
• It’s Gibo-Edu in 2010 for Lakas-Kampi CMD
• Going for tried, getting tired
• So is the glass half-empty? Or half-full?
• Mutations
• Gibo is on a roll. But is he getting anywhere?
• It’s Manny for Manny
• Here come the Yellow Army
• Manny Villar’s “Naging Mahirap” TVC Campaign Lyrics
• Gibo Teodoro’s “Sulong” informercial aka “Posible” lyrics
• That abstract concept called “poverty”
• Who among the presidentiables will be bad for the economy?
• Have a Little Faith
• Nacionalista’s Manny Villar kicks off campaign in Calamba, Laguna
• “Lipad” lyrics and video: Gibo Teodoro’s new TV commercial
• Screw the Surveys
• How’s Your Blogging?
• Gordon Dropped it Like it’s Hot
• Winnie Monsod’s “Why I Will Vote for Noynoy” article is a hoax
• While You Were Busy Bickering

All I can say is that if you've never "used" Calculus in your daily life, you are not making full use of the knowledge you have been introduced to. Beyond the figures or the nauseating equations, the study of Mathematics is a study of "possibilities", of "origins" and of "derivations".

It is, as aptly put by many of those who understand its significance, essential to critical thinking. Mathematics urges us to "think" and build on ideas through a sequence of procedures so as to arrive at a certain "solution". It creates order out of chaos -- in a sea of random ideas and figures. It is no different to real-life situations. That's the very reason why in Math, we are introduced to "Word Problems".

I do not understand why there are people who until now seem to think that what we learn in Calculus doesn't apply to real life when in fact, it is "real life" situations that prompted the critical thinkers and mathematicians of old to formulate the theories and equations we currently live by.

I wouldn't go as far as to conclude that those who elude Math are dumb -- I think it's too harsh a statement, but I can say that it is a terribly wrong assumption, most likely caused by inadequate critical thinking -- a direct effect of Math-aversion.

Quoting from the Anti Pinoy blog:

Here’s Chiz asking us to allow the retrogression of our youth – to lessen their ability to “formulate, critically analyze, and solve a variety of problems”. Seriously, do you really want this? Do you really want more dumb Filipinos? Then by all means, vote for Chiz Escudero.HusengBatute, The Anti Pinoy :), Oct 2009

Chiz Escudero is entitled to his own opinion, in the same way each and every one of us are. But it's one opinion I prefer that he keeps to himself. To go as far as appeal to "Mr. Speaker" that higher Mathematics be prescribed as an "elective" in high school is nothing but a poor attempt at pleasing his "crowd" of young voters. Someone missed the whole point of solving equations.

Our children deserve the best education that the times can provide. Sure, it may be back-breaking, nerve-racking or totally mind-boggling, but let's face it, they don't have a choice. In the fast lane of the internet age, you either "evolve or become extinct".

Tough love, it is, but love all the same. And when the time comes that they'd need to do some "critical thinking", I'm sure they'd thank us for it.

So, "Mr. Speaker", by all means, bombard us with more Math. Let my children live in a future where politicians "think more than they blab".

Related articles:

• Undermining Math Education in our State (cliffmass.blogspot.com)

Suggested Further Reading:

• 2010 Presidentiables and Surveys
• 8 Reasons Why Political Rallies Have Become Overrated
• Gibo should bolt out too
• How much is your vote?
• Gibo is on a roll. But is he getting anywhere?

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