tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6693471143220681808.post4495796723686843439..comments2023-12-18T07:59:16.525-05:00Comments on Hats and Rabbits: Dinner with an AlienChris Matarazzohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17885109959459471509noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6693471143220681808.post-31409232787436627322012-08-28T09:30:34.649-04:002012-08-28T09:30:34.649-04:00George -- I meant to refer more to the emphatic at...George -- I meant to refer more to the emphatic attitude. Math and science are emphasized by constant reference to their importance and with programs created to promote improvements in math and science. In the education field, you rarely hear people banging pots for the study of literature and history. Most kids, parents, teachers and administrators see "creative writing" classes and art classes as blow-offs and expendible programs. While science and math are important, there is an implication that, while art and lit. and history are nice ways to become "well-rounded," they are just...nice; science and math are what we really need. I don't really think that there will be a poet on the first starship, but I do really think one should be on it. You can be sure, though, that there will be a geologist, a biologist and any other number or "ologists" on-board. I see this "emphasis" as contrary to true human nature. We want -- and, in fact, need -- to know many things before we want to know how the endocrine system of an alien works. Chris Matarazzohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17885109959459471509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6693471143220681808.post-52472430002062446442012-08-28T07:33:51.139-04:002012-08-28T07:33:51.139-04:00"This got me thinking about the over-emphasis..."This got me thinking about the over-emphasis we put on science and math in our schools' curricula."<br /><br />Somewhat like the over-emphasis Caltech puts on intercollegiate athletics? In my day, it was one math class and one science class per year, or about 33% of the core curriculum. Unless you're teaching at the Bronx High School of Science, I doubt math and science form more than 40% of the curriculum.Georgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14819154529261482038noreply@blogger.com