Why Is It Socially Acceptable To Be Bad At Math? (high school, voted)

[Juxtaposition109]

I work as a casino dealer and many times every night I have to tell the players what their cards total. The players often respond by saying "I suck at math", so yes this article has some very true ideas in it. It's easy for me to sum card totals b/c I stare at them for eight hours a day forty hours a week. The common person doesn't do that at their job so I understand that they aren't as fast at reading the cards as I am. We all have things we are good at and things we aren't. Most if not all people can be "good" at math, but it would just take a lot more work than most of us are going to put into it. What skills are seen as important or cool depends on which society or culture we are living in at said time, and like all things it will all change with time.

In my opinion mental math isn't as needed today due to our technology such as calculators, cash registers, and the internet etc.... however, I like the author don't understand why someone would be proud of that. To me it's the same as many casino players who love to tell you how much money they have lost. Why are they proud of losing something?

[eok]

People who are "bad at math" and want to become "good at math" can teach themselves if they're motivated. They can use Wikipedia, which explains way more math than most people ever learn. They can start at kindergarten level. That's important, because they need to fill in all the gaps in their knowledge, starting with the most elementary knowledge. The first step is to make the numbers your friends. One is the loneliest number you'll ever do, but it's also the most important. Two is second. You need to understand the difference between cardinal numbers and ordinal numbers. Ten (10) is the tenth number. It's the ordinal number, 10th, by which we say that the cardinal number 10 is the 10th number. The cardinal number can be used without ever writing its name or numeral. You can add 10+10 without ever seeing it in writing. Then when you write it, as 10, it's a numeral. You need to understand that a numeral is a word for a number, spelled with digits. And when you spell it ten, it's another word for the same number, but spelled with letters instead of digits. All these little gaps in your knowledge can be filled in easily with enough patience. And the more you advance, and the faster you fill in the gaps, the closer you get to becoming a math genius. There is no practical limit to how much you can learn from Wikipedia.

[TheArcadian]

Originally Posted by eok

There is no practical limit to how much you can learn from Wikipedia.

Well put - when we were kids you had to make an effort to go to the library but now its all at your fingertips either in Wikipedia or History channel documentaries. That means the gulf between people who want to learn stuff and do so regularly and people who don't care to is growing quickly. Math is just one part of it.

Also you need the foundation, otherwise there's a whole world out there you just don't see. And its not just about numbers. Multiply = multi + ply, greek for "many folds". Plus is latin for "more", as in ne plus ultra. Polygon & Diagonal have the same root (gonal = angle). Geometry means "measure the world" in Greek (geo + metro). There's a reason that they wouldn't let you into college in the 1800s if you couldn't read both Latin & Greek.

[harold saxon]

Accordingly then those in wheelchairs should be able to walk. Invisible disabilities don't exist. "Harry Potter" was just clumsy then when the actor had problems tying his shoes.... per you.

[IndyDancer]

Originally Posted by BradPiff

My dad said when he was a child of course there were people who were "bad" at math. But it was something you were embarrassed and ashamed about. That's completely gone now to an extent. I remember there was a trending hashtag on Twitter about this, people were wearing it like a badge of honor lol

My theory is that it's a pre-emptive defense for those who are "bad" at math, but don't want to be directly shamed for it.

I have a math degree and work in a math-related field, and yes, I've noticed it is much more common and socially acceptable for people to declare their ineptitude or hate for math (which they often do immediately after I disclose my profession or area of study) than it is for me to confess that I didn't care for history or science class, or that I don't like to cook.

ETA: I'm also not great at doing detailed math in my head, other than quick estimation or obviously simple addition/multiplication. I need to see it visually in actual physical form in front of me, either pencil/paper or calculator. I suspect there's also a kinesthetic element of having actually done the writing/typing that helps me retain/understand. Perhaps because that's how I was trained.

[FatBob96]

Originally Posted by BradPiff

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog...le-be-bad-math

I've seen lifelong friendships be born out of conservation of people laughing about "sucking at math" lol

Not everyone's brain works the same way.

You could ask the same question about any subject.

Why is it socially acceptable to have bad handwriting or not be able to read and write in Cursive?

[Old Gringo]

Short answer:

Because everyone is bad at something.

Math, tennis, singing, painting, photography, pool, chess, cooking, etc.

Take your pick.

[Robert137]

I've noticed that this pride about being poor in math started when society became more feminized (at least Western society). And the great majority of people I've heard say this are females.

[IndyDancer]

Originally Posted by Robert137

I've noticed that this pride about being poor in math started when society became more feminized (at least Western society). And the great majority of people I've heard say this are females.

Oh please. I hear it equally from both sexes. Though women may be less likely to delude themselves that they are good with numbers if they aren't.

[hifijohn]

we have to be the only society that likes being dumb, if you are good at school you think too much or are a nerd or a brainiac, or some other put down, look at how lisa simpson is portayed on that show.