>There's a hatred of mathematics in mainstream American culture that runs very, very deep. And it will probably take generations to change that (if changing it is even possible at this point).
Could you explain further? It seems like you believe that something should change, but it is not clear if you are saying that the "mathematics" or the mainstream American culture should change.
Lockhart's gist is that of course "everyone" hates "mathematics", because they are being presented with a dried up empty shell that only superficially resembles real
"mathematics". Are you disagreeing with Lockhart, and think that the culture should embrace the "mathematics" as-it-stands? Or are you saying that it is unlikely
that reforms will be possible to change the system to present "mathematics" in the way Lockhart would approve of? Or are you saying that even Lockhart's "mathematics" is and will always be hated by mainstream American culture?
> Could you explain further? It seems like you believe that something should change, but it is not clear if you are saying that the "mathematics" or the mainstream American culture should change.
The culture needs to change. Full stop.
I just have no idea how to do it.
> Are you disagreeing with Lockhart
Nope.
> Or are you saying that it is unlikely that reforms will be possible to change the system to present "mathematics" in the way Lockhart would approve of?
Not exactly what I was saying, no. Changing "the system", however, will be extremely difficult at best, though.
> Or are you saying that even Lockhart's "mathematics" is and will always be hated by mainstream American culture?
Interesting. I would have thought that "the culture needs to change" is in direct opposition to Lockhart's thesis. My reading of his essay is that people are rightly justified in hating the "mathematics" that was forced upon them.
I wonder if this difference in reading is some sort of confirmation bias, reading into an essay what we each want to hear? On a more meta-level, I wonder if that quality improves or detracts from an essay. Or maybe that quality isn't a part of the essay as much is it is attached to the subject or the reader? Something I'll have to ponder some more.
Could you explain further? It seems like you believe that something should change, but it is not clear if you are saying that the "mathematics" or the mainstream American culture should change.
Lockhart's gist is that of course "everyone" hates "mathematics", because they are being presented with a dried up empty shell that only superficially resembles real "mathematics". Are you disagreeing with Lockhart, and think that the culture should embrace the "mathematics" as-it-stands? Or are you saying that it is unlikely that reforms will be possible to change the system to present "mathematics" in the way Lockhart would approve of? Or are you saying that even Lockhart's "mathematics" is and will always be hated by mainstream American culture?