While I agree with you about the basic usage of conventional units (even Google Maps tells me to go 3.2 miles before I turn left) the bigger problem is the use of different units for different scales of the same measurement. Fractions are well suited for expressing this (1 lb, 3 oz easily becomes 1 and 3/16 lb.) but poor for actual calculations. While 8 ounces of weight into 0.5 pounds is easy, how about 1500 yards into miles? And if you're scaling over multiple orders of units (inches to feet to miles - although I admit that is an extreme example), you've got multiple conversions. Also the metric system handles orders of magnitudes better - 10 miligrams make for much more sensible dosage at the pharmacy than 0.00035 ounces (arbitrarily choosing two digits of accuracy).
(And don't get me started on fluid onces vs. dry ounces. Ruined more batches of pancakes than I can count with that one!)
As to your algebra comment, I agree that basic fractions provide a good grounding for some concepts, but those fundamentals could be taught without fractions with no harm done. Mixed fractions, one of the more painful concepts, disappears entirely. Also, I can't speak for your elementary school years, but the curiculum at my school always seemed to have an obsession with fractions. I figure I lost perhaps a total of a year of math because the instructors couldn't allow the slowest kids go on without mastering fractions. Everything had to grind to a halt and advanced topics went uncovered until they caught up.
Oh, well. At least I got A's while we waited for the bottom quartile.
When I was in Junior High, the issue of the metric system came up (this was back when it was freshly killed and some believed there was a snowball's chance that it would be adopted here in the U.S.). Although we had all learned metric, most of the students in the class were dead set against it, parroting any arguments they had overheard from their parents.
Then the instructor pointed out that the metric measurements made all math straight decimal calculations, making fractions obsolete. Instead of being tormented by numerators and denominators for the bulk of our elementary school careers, she figured we'd instead have been given a few weeks onfractions, if that. When she took a second show of hands, the number of converts (including me, who had not had a preference either way) was impressive.
Moral: If the U.S. public had accepted the metric system, fractions would be a mathematical footnote for most American students, who could concentrate on more important things like GTA.
Reminds me of the old Bloom County stip where the kids decide to make their own home movie version of ET. They send Opus the Penguin off frame to do a "special effect," which is followed by a big explosion. When he comes back in frame he is scorched and makes a comment to the effect:
I don't think Steven Speilberg used a frisbee covered in gasoline soaked sparklers for his version of the crashing spaceship effect.
The following photo appears on CNN's front cover in a story about the excitement (regretably, my choice of words, not theirs) over "Revenge of the Sith."
I was about to say "I for one welcome posters such as myself who fail to refresh the main page of a story."
But, being that such a comment is unwieldy at best and that I hit the frickin' return key too early to post without any preview, let's just stick with a simple "D'ho!"
In the section on "Lightsabre Uses Around the Home" (here and here) they have photos of people using a lightsabre to trim hedges, reheat coffee, etc. Kind of amusing. They also have an open offer to anyone to submit their own photos or ideas to unlisted at stuffo dot com
If you're looking for lightsabre photshop tutorials, there's tons of them out thre. Start here or here.
But I thought according to Star Wars lore, you couldn't "buy" a lightsaber.
The article addesses this in the section "Using Your Lightsaber Around the Home":
Although a lightsaber is typically used as a defensive weapon by Jedi knights, the availability of lightsabers on consumer sites such as eBay is growing. It is a sad fact of life, but if a Jedi knight falls on hard times, his lightsaber is one source of quick cash. He can always build another one.
I particularly like the photos of cutting hedges and slicing bagels with one.
we don't need to take out our tinfoil hats this time
Ha! You won't fool me! You're just trying to get me to take off my Aluminum Foil Deflector Beanie! Well, it won't work! I've had voices in my head a lot louder than you try! So if you think that you'll---
That's it! I don't care how many bells and whistles the thing has. I'm never going to give my social security number or bank account number to the soft drink machine again!
Slashdot Mirror
(And don't get me started on fluid onces vs. dry ounces. Ruined more batches of pancakes than I can count with that one!)
As to your algebra comment, I agree that basic fractions provide a good grounding for some concepts, but those fundamentals could be taught without fractions with no harm done. Mixed fractions, one of the more painful concepts, disappears entirely. Also, I can't speak for your elementary school years, but the curiculum at my school always seemed to have an obsession with fractions. I figure I lost perhaps a total of a year of math because the instructors couldn't allow the slowest kids go on without mastering fractions. Everything had to grind to a halt and advanced topics went uncovered until they caught up.
Oh, well. At least I got A's while we waited for the bottom quartile.
Then the instructor pointed out that the metric measurements made all math straight decimal calculations, making fractions obsolete. Instead of being tormented by numerators and denominators for the bulk of our elementary school careers, she figured we'd instead have been given a few weeks onfractions, if that. When she took a second show of hands, the number of converts (including me, who had not had a preference either way) was impressive.
Moral: If the U.S. public had accepted the metric system, fractions would be a mathematical footnote for most American students, who could concentrate on more important things like GTA.
...until this becomes another SciFi monster movie of the week?
Lacking a date on the flyer, I don't know if this is Google's fault or it just took a while to hit slashdot. Good idea, anyway.
...would argue with your basic premise of men losing sanity, given our natural state.
I don't think Steven Speilberg used a frisbee covered in gasoline soaked sparklers for his version of the crashing spaceship effect.
Ah, memories...
"I haven't lost my mind; I'm sure it's backed up on tape somewhere."
Why can't I shake the mental image of Homer Simpson drooling "Tempting targets...mmmmmm"?
I think that same thing can be said for most of the inhabitants as well.
When I feel that way, I simply go to my happy place.
<obligatory>
It's already been done
</obligatory>
http://i.a.cnn.net/cnn/2005/SHOWBIZ/Movies/05/17/s tar.wars.overview/top.star.wars.04.jpg
I just have to ask: Is there any way that the editor/webmaster could have been blind to the inuendo on this one? This has gotta be intentional.
But, being that such a comment is unwieldy at best and that I hit the frickin' return key too early to post without any preview, let's just stick with a simple "D'ho!"
I for one welcome
In 3, 2, 1...
On an related note, I'd really like to take a peek at Robert Cringely's stock portfolio!
If you're looking for lightsabre photshop tutorials, there's tons of them out thre. Start here or here.
The article addesses this in the section "Using Your Lightsaber Around the Home": Although a lightsaber is typically used as a defensive weapon by Jedi knights, the availability of lightsabers on consumer sites such as eBay is growing. It is a sad fact of life, but if a Jedi knight falls on hard times, his lightsaber is one source of quick cash. He can always build another one.
I particularly like the photos of cutting hedges and slicing bagels with one.
Interestingly, that article also pointed out a favorable alternative. Instead of Firefly, though, it was Blade Runner:
"And even now, 20 years later, it still looks like the future... That's a neat trick."
So, if this thing is a huge success and still in print two years from now, the Vatican will ask us to stop reading it, right?
We suspect you are are pirating the random noise that that is superior to the CDs found in our electronics section.
Wonderful idea! After I get home tonight I'll just grab a shovel and a chair and start digging into the ceiling.
I only hope my bunker's ceiling won't cave in.
And now WWRD's Avante Garde corner features Herr Gerder VonStiffle's latest composition, "Fast Walk Through Walmart's Sporting Goods Section, #7"
Ha! You won't fool me! You're just trying to get me to take off my Aluminum Foil Deflector Beanie! Well, it won't work! I've had voices in my head a lot louder than you try! So if you think that you'll---
What? OK, Mom. I'll go take my meds now.
That's it! I don't care how many bells and whistles the thing has. I'm never going to give my social security number or bank account number to the soft drink machine again!