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How Much Math Do We Really Need? 1153

Posted by samzenpus from the factor-your-future dept.
Pickens writes "G.V. Ramanathan, a professor emeritus of mathematics, statistics and computer science at the University of Illinois at Chicago, writes in the Washington Post that although a lot of effort and money has been spent to make mathematics seem essential, unlike literature, history, politics and music, math has little relevance to everybody's daily life. 'All the mathematics one needs in real life can be learned in early years without much fuss,' writes Ramanathan. 'Most adults have no contact with math at work, nor do they curl up with an algebra book for relaxation.' Ramanathan says that the marketing of math has become similar to the marketing of creams to whiten teeth, gels to grow hair and regimens to build a beautiful body, but even with generous government grants over the past 25 years, countless courses, conferences, and books written on how to teach teachers to teach, where is the evidence that these efforts have helped students? A 2008 review by the Education Department found that the nation is at 'greater risk now' than it was in 1983, and the National Assessment of Educational Progress math scores for 17-year-olds have remained stagnant since the 1980s (PDF). Meanwhile those who do love math and science have been doing very well and our graduate schools are the best in the world. 'As for the rest, there is no obligation to love math any more than grammar, composition, curfew or washing up after dinner. Why create a need to make it palatable to all and spend taxpayers' money on pointless endeavors without demonstrable results or accountability?'"
Science

Study Shows Brain Responds More To Close Friends 66

Posted by samzenpus from the birds-of-a-feather dept.
An anonymous reader writes "People's brains are more responsive to friends than to strangers, even if the stranger has more in common, according to a study in the Oct. 13 issue of The Journal of Neuroscience. Researchers examined a brain region known to be involved in processing social information, and the results suggest that social alliances outweigh shared interests. In a study led by graduate student Fenna Krienen and senior author Randy Buckner, PhD, of Harvard University, researchers investigated how the medial prefrontal cortex and associated brain regions signal someone's value in a social situation. Previous work has shown that perceptions of others' beliefs guide social interactions. Krienen and her colleagues wondered whether these brain regions respond more to those we know, or to those with whom we share similar interests."
Image

Teen Charged With Billing $37K For Candy To School 3

Posted by samzenpus from the a-world-of-pure-imagination dept.
Jad Holmes, 18, is scheduled to be in Middletown Municipal Court on Wednesday, charged with two counts of telecommunications fraud, for allegedly ordering more than $37,000 of candy online to be charged to Middletown High School. Holmes is accused of placing two orders -- for $19,880 and $17,372, respectively -- through a Michigan-based company. He's being held in Middletown City Jail on a bond of $30,700. Officials say they are willing to accept candy as payment.

Comment Re:feh (Score 1) 226

by Zilvreen (#26421181) Attached to: IRS Eyeballing Virtual World Tax Policies
I think he said 'State' constitution, not the US Constitution. The US Constitution is a fairly short document comparatively, and describes mainly the limits of federal government. A state's constitution can have to do with anything and everything not federal and is generally a bit more wordy. They tend to outline policies and processes, the structure of the state government and its duties, and often specific issues deemed important enough to add to the state's constitution.

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