Math is Oppression

[makattak]

... or, Remind Me Again How Scary Those Christians Are?

https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-319-77760-3_12

In this chapter I challenge the idea that mathematics is an unqualified force for good. Instead I show the harm that learning mathematics can inadvertently cause unless it is taught and applied carefully. I acknowledge that mathematics is a widespread force for good but make the novel case that there is significant collateral damage caused by learning mathematics. I describe three ways in which mathematics causes collateral damage. First, the nature of pure of mathematics itself leads to styles of thinking that can be damaging when applied beyond mathematics to social and human issues. Second the applications of mathematics in society can be deleterious to our humanity unless very carefully monitored and checked. Third, the personal impact of learning mathematics on learners’ thinking and life chances can be negative for a minority of less successful students, as well as potentially harmful for successful students. I end with a recommendation for the inclusion of the philosophy and ethics of mathematics alongside its teaching all stages from school to university, to attempt to reduce or obviate the harm caused; the collateral damage of learning mathematics.

This is from a textbook. Above is the summary of the chapter.

Now the religion of the left is worried that learning mathematics might teach people how to reason without resorting to emotion. That such a tool might lead people to dispassionately address other areas with reason and logic.

And that cannot be allowed.


Remind me, again, how the scary Christians are the ones destroying education?

[230RN]

Now the religion of the left is worried that learning mathematics might teach people how to reason without resorting to emotion. That such a tool might lead people to dispassionately address other areas with reason and logic.

And that cannot be allowed.

Eleventy X +++ !!!

[RoadKingLarry]

And yet again, another indication that humanity is way, way overdue for a plague.

[just Warren]

None of this adds up! What are these people counting on? Are they trying to divide our society?

[K Frame]

And History is hurty dead white man oppression.

[230RN]

None of this adds up! What are these people counting on? Are they trying to divide our society?

Very good. 

[Perd Hapley]

None of this adds up! What are these people counting on? Are they trying to divide our society?

Is there no limit to their madness?

[K Frame]

None of this adds up! What are these people counting on? Are they trying to divide our society?

It's the sum of all fears...

A factor in the downfall of our society...

[brimic]

Math makes feminist bridges collapse.

[HankB]

And attitudes like this appear to be multiplying exponentially. Total idiocy - we're descending to the lowest common denominator.

[brimic]

I told my son early on that "Math is the language of God."
He excels at it.
I'm doing my part to raise the next generation of oppressors.

[zxcvbob]

I told my son early on that "Math is the language of God."
He excels at it.
I'm doing my part to raise the next generation of oppressors.

[KD5NRH]

I know I've seen a chart of this tying pretty much every at-least-semi-normal major back to math.

[MechAg94]

Teaching people to think is scary....from the BigGov point of view. 

[freakazoid]

It's not the first time I've seen them claim that education is racist and oppressive.

[MechAg94]

I was thinking of doing a Godwin on the thread with a reference, but I think I'll refrain.  I am kind of glad I can't read a more in depth description of what the guy is talking about.  It sounds like a bunch of psycho-babble. 

https://www.academia.edu/34139433/THE_ETHICS_OF_MATHEMATICS_IS_MATHEMATICS_HARMFUL
I spoke too soon.  Here is a link to at least some of it (might be the whole thing). 

I got through the intro a little.  Yes, part of it is people who are not good at math might feel bad because they suck at math.  Then he seems to start into babble about whether math is good or bad.  IMO, that is a silly question.  Just another wrench to throw into the works of education to screw it up even more and do nothing but confuse kids who need to learn freaking math.  When I next come across a check out person who can't calculate change in their head, I will think of this writer. 

[Scout26]

[Hawkmoon]

When I next come across a check out person who can't calculate change in their head, I will think of this writer. 

She checked me out at Walmart last week. My purchase came to $16.10. I handed her $21.10. She held it and looked at it ... for a looooooooooooong time. Then she looked at me. Then she looked back at the money for a loooooooong time. Then her face lit up and she said, "So you'd like a five back for change?"

"Yes, thank you."

I have to give credit where credit is due. She did finally get it without punching it into the register and letting the machine figure it out. I actually enjoy those more. After they look at the "extra" money I gave them, when they ring it up and it comes up with a nice, round number for change, it's clear from the facial expression that the "associate" is wondering, "How the heck did he DO that?"

[Scout26]

I wait until after the register has given them the change "answer", then I fork over extra bills or coins, just to watch them vapor lock. 

[cordex]

I wait until after the register has given them the change "answer", then I fork over extra bills or coins, just to watch them vapor lock. 

There are people who do this for a living.

[MechAg94]

One other thought that comes to mind is that some of these people apparently cannot stand to see any sort of subject that might involve a simple Black&White or Right&Wrong choice.  If that exists, they have to find some way to confuse the issue and create or expand a grey area.  Is that an obsession with some people or is complicating everything just a means to an end?  I thought it might just be idiot PhD candidates looking for something to write about, but I figure it is more than just that.  I guess another choice is that they are idiots who are barely qualified for their own field of study and do not have the knowledge/capability to write anything substantive. 

[lee n. field]

Teaching people to think is scary....from the BigGov point of view. 

[230RN]

One other thought that comes to mind is that some of these people apparently cannot stand to see any sort of subject that might involve a simple Black&White or Right&Wrong choice.

If that exists, they have to find some way to confuse the issue and create or expand a grey area.

Is that an obsession with some people or is complicating everything just a means to an end?  

You nailed it right there.

Yep, cast doubt, sow confusion, offer solution in the form of nannyism --a later step.  Don't worry about it, we'll take care of you and guide you.

Standard operating procedure for all proto-socialists and community organizers.  And you aren't the only one to notice this throughout Leftist movements.

I thought it might just be idiot PhD candidates looking for something to write about, but I figure it is more than just that.  I guess another choice is that they are idiots who are barely qualified for their own field of study and do not have the knowledge/capability to write anything substantive.

When I read that passage from the math book, I wondered what was wrong with my head and why I did not have the knowledge/capability to make sense out of it.  I'm glad someone else thought it was garble-de-gook.

Terry

[Scout26]

There are people who do this for a living.

Where do I go to apply for this job ??  I've been doing it for free for a while now.

[cordex]

Where do I go to apply for this job ??  I've been doing it for free for a while now.

https://youtu.be/dGF3B3t3TME