Vocabulary and knowledge of how to use time- or role-indicating forms of
action words constitute language.
One who possesses these central linguistic tools
is empowered. The power is an ability to discuss or describe things that
is at the heart of all human cultures. We work with others using verbal
techniques. Of all the ways that work takes place one in particular,
science, is specially dependent. Science functions when knowledge is
exchanged: experiments are replicated elsewhere leading to broad
consensus about the fundamental ideas they illustrate. In all its many
forms (pure, applied, engineering, technology) scientific communication
is the foundation of our economy. The inability of most of society to
use the underlying language of science (the Nobel-prize winning
physicist Richard Feynman put it this way:
To those who do not know mathematics it is difficult to get across a
real feeling as to the beauty, the deepest beauty of nature. If you want
to learn about nature, to appreciate nature, it is necessary to
understand the language that she speaks in. [1]), mathematics, is a serious
threat to our well-being. Further, the expanded role of computer
technology in most areas of human society, and dependence of both
hardware and software on the elements of mathematics means this
threat is growing and now dangerous.
When easy communication takes place economic progress occurs. The
revolution of 1776 was fueled by committees of correspondence.
Successive governments' value of, and subsidies to, postal, canal, rail,
highway, telegraph, telephone, air, computer-network, and mobile communication
systems have helped build societies. These efforts have bound individuals into
a society, gotten them to subordinate personal advantage for common welfare.
Ultimately their success has been shown by peace, by government acceptance.
Language is the core issue re material well-being. Today
translation tools, multiple-language electronic dictionaries, and
information sources from all parts of the globe are realities (web
tools, consumer appliances, global exchange of data, word, sound and
image files).
Since communicating is the central issue, it makes sense to divorce it
from mathematics. Instead of "I hate math" answered by "Here's
more math", this effort embeds concepts within elements that are
generally acceptable. Proverbs, sayings, games, puzzles, images, and
designs all offer options to engage those with mathematics/science
antipathy (and cause them to interact with each other, computer training
systems, and human instructors). The focus on communication activities that
are inherently non-mathematical has a second aspect: the overall nature of this
activity is to raise the valuation of what might be called
folk-mathematics: mnemonic devices, card and dice gambling strategies,
informal aspects of game theory and recreational topics.
Many believe that mathematics is a foreign and relatively-unlearnable language.
That provides some with security. But like graves, such a justification for
ignorance is only a place to hold those not alive. The belief that math is
a) "a subject"; and b) both obscure and dull, is sustainable only if one doesn't use any thought. The reason it isn't a subject, is that it is an
activity. The reason it isn't dull nor obscure, is that it has roots in
the practical issues of daily life, and that everyone is fascinated by
their own activities. Finally, antipathy to both computers and mathematics
could be
Modern economies depend on
computer technology and tools.
Hence failure to confront "I hate math" has serious implications for
nations. The better option is to accelerate development of
the materials described here.
Culture
Every society has tools for challenging the next generation. In the
heart of Africa, Polynesia, lower economic strata in Eastern Europe,
cultures include logical puzzles, games, and visual patterns that
exercise mathematical thought.
How can this prevalent anti-technical
attitude be changed? One way is to require reflection and self-awareness
oriented activity. For example, there are nine different cultures
represented in proverbs. The required chore is select one of the ten
items in the preceding URL and explain the perceived information it
contains verbally and by a visual diagram.
References
Feynmann, Richard, The Character of Physical Law, Cambridge, USA, 1967.
Dantzig, Tobias, Number The Language of Science, New York, The Macmillan
Company,
Iverson, Kenneth E., "Notation as a Tool of
Thought,"
Communications.Association for Computer Machinery,
23(8): 444-465, 1980.