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Science and Math For Adults?
Peter Trepan writes "Like most Americans, I made it through high-school and college without a thorough understanding of major scientific and mathematical concepts. I'm trying to remedy this situation both for personal betterment and so I can supplement my *own* kids' education. The problem is, most textbooks are not designed to convey an understanding of the subject, but to squeeze in all the 'facts' required by state law. I'm looking for books that don't just tell me an equation or a concept works, but also explain *why*. Would you please list books that have helped you gain a greater understanding of the basic concepts of algebra, chemistry, calculus, physics, and other core areas of science?" This is similar to an earlier question, but with a broader focus.
I guess not, if it was, this question would have never been posed.
It is human nature to take shortcuts in thinking.
Public schools in the US never taught very much science as far as I can tell (michigan schools 60'a and 70's, we did some real science in our seinor year of HS), it was really more of a history of science, in which you were expected to learn a few of the principals along the way. Asimov's "The Endocronic properties of Theotimoline" (I think the title is close, but the last word probably miss-spelled) is completely fictional and actualy teaches more science than a year of public school does, its a good read to
Apocalypse Cancelled, Sorry, No Ticket Refunds
Did you know that the eminent John Von Neumann, being thoroughly familiar with the principle of defense needing to be eternally vigilant while offense needs only a single opportunity, was resolutely supportive of preemptive war ? Or so it says on page 142 of my copy of Poundstone's "Prisoner's Dilemma". Did you know, Winston Churchill once said "Science should be on tap, not on top" ? I have written this up at: http://www.xmemes.com/cssg/ToolPeople_000.htm If science ends up just making weapons and non-scientists or even VOTERS get to pull the trigger, then social science, being "controlling", is clearly worth study ! I was unable to make the fancy frames-page-index at www.xmemes.com work well outside of MSIE, sorry. I well know that when one starts talking soft-science like game-theory it's easy to sound lame, while tool-science produces such powerful, well, *tools*. To shy back from such controlling topics for fear of sounding lame, well, that would make one a "tool person" !