Friday, December 14, 2012
"she must be good in maths," said the man. "but why is that necessary?" i countered. "no, no. must have a high standard in maths," he replied. i wondered if he had the standards he now expects her to have. but why? remained my question. why is it necessary at all? live in a world growing more and more complex every day, tell ourselves got to keep running and rushing to keep pace with it all, no time for anything, just fall in line and pursue. keep running, stay focussed, got to get ahead. ahead of what?
high grades in maths. but no idea of what adds up in life, what ought to be subtracted, which ideas multiply, how to divide oneself while staying whole, and what to put in a bracket and solve first.
bodmas, i suddenly remember the man who said that to me first. bright eyes, urgency in his voice, it was important to study hard he'd said. i hadn't listened. oh, he was good at maths, very good. that's why he knew what to take away, what really balances the equation. said one day, no don't do what i dreamt for you, go and study communications instead, you'll be good at that.
my math certainly needs improving, the day i can tell her something of that value, i'll give myself a gold medal and a high grade.
high grades in maths. but no idea of what adds up in life, what ought to be subtracted, which ideas multiply, how to divide oneself while staying whole, and what to put in a bracket and solve first.
bodmas, i suddenly remember the man who said that to me first. bright eyes, urgency in his voice, it was important to study hard he'd said. i hadn't listened. oh, he was good at maths, very good. that's why he knew what to take away, what really balances the equation. said one day, no don't do what i dreamt for you, go and study communications instead, you'll be good at that.
my math certainly needs improving, the day i can tell her something of that value, i'll give myself a gold medal and a high grade.
Labels: bodmas, education, father, maths
