So how many people in your school were pretty stupid?

[Davorak]

The problem does no end at high school either. Some people in my advanced physics classes have the moto “problems now understanding later.” It is a skill to be able to do physics and not understand it. Unfortunately or fortunately I lack this skill. I cannot do well in a physics course without understanding it, however I have seen classmates do exactly that. Undergrad Quantum one and two seem to be the class that this happens in the most.

I think it is a sad state of affairs.

Edit:
These people are not stupid however like the threads name would imply.

 

[bomba923]

He started off on the very first day of history by asking us all why we thought it was important. Most kids said to learn from out mistakes. He said something along the lines of "most of you are just full of bull****, you see. all."

My history class exactly. Ask them to back up a position or judgment, they respond with "..well, um...for honesty, um...we need peace for harmony...so don't attack the aggressor...um..."----and a bunch of other bull**** of words/terms that they can't really define or connect, or take a concrete logical stand on. Well, in class, it seems I condescend and they want me to quiet. I say: "If you can logically defend/back what you say or decide against MY position (on whatever issue we're discussing), then I'll be quiet."

I think it's the teacher with her concept of small-scale democracy, and I do mean, SMALL-scale (28 or so students). For a nation, no office has time to evaluate the reasons, logic, and grounds of every citizen's vote. For a classroom of 28 students, I think it is the history teacher's responsibility to evaluate the logic and reasoning of each participating student's position whenenver she decides to coordinate a discussion---otherwise, don't hold discussions! It seems to me that the teacher considers all opinions equal; that is the problem. A well-justified stand written/spoken in formal language is just as strong as the judgment of the student full of bull****. Maybe for non-academic subjects---sure! BUT for HISTORY class, having an INFORMED DISCUSSION??

One more thing: ok...she likes ART, with colorful metaphors in the project I mentioned in my previous post. Ok...nothing wrong with that. What about the students?
Well, some draw two cylinders and a stick gun, to symbolize the vast achievements in firearm technology and battlefield tactics. A trapezoid boat with some green figures under the sun to represent immigration from Europe, urbanization, and the growth of American industry. Well, how's that for creativity? Bull****

Creativity and understanding. Well, I'm not the "art" or "colorful" type, but how about at least:
a) Drawing a vast blue between two landmasses (representing the Atlantic, the influence which separated America from Europe)--one with wealth, symbols of opportunity (to symbolize the American Dream), and the other red--to symbol the strife or diffuculty immigrants experiences in native lands.
b) Depicting a scene of battle, divided in three panels with different views of the same area, representing the various beliefs and perspective of national peoples in regard to war---or at least international perspective of various nations

Ok. The teacher like art. BUT EVEN "ART" requires SOME thought and KNOWLEDGE/CAPABILITY . But--NO! The students just draw trapezoid boats. NO thought---no KNOWLEDGE--ZERO competence! You see what I mentioned above (for the required drawings)? AT LEAST that represents SOME...just a LITTLE ThoughT! But no..."creativity" must not be stifled according to the teacher!
not "creativity." those drawings? Incompetence.

My group leader: what she lacks in competence she makes up for in attitude. Ask her: How did American economy and the use of steam power expand about our waterways?
Her reply: what are "waterways"?
Ask her: Coal became an even more valuable resource with use of steam energy and furnaces to power machinery, as in factories, for example. What were some other applications?
Her reply: "What are furnaces?" My reply: "Do you know at least what water heaters are?" Her reply: "Huh?? What are water heaters?"

She has poor knowledge of the Industrial Revolution and no sense of historical context. And yet she challenges my position, saying that my information is too wordy and confusing with poor word choice?
Honestly now: do not listen to people who can't read at a HS junior level and who have no sense of logical judgment. Do not accept their work or stance on issues they do not really understand or can't logically justify.

To compromise with such students, the teacher allows everyone to draw a picture for short-answer questions on tests to express the concept or explain an issue. Honestly now: If they can't write well enough to describe events learned of in HS junior history class...hold them back a grade or send them to a lower level English class. If they can't read a simple textbook...send them back to ninth grade. If they need definitions to words like "armaments, reparation, mercy"...hold them back a year or two.

And these students will be accepted into good universities because of their high grades. Don't blame the students; it's the teachers. (or whoever gave them A's or B's in academics for incompetent work).

 

[Bladibla]

I personally find old books much better to read than new textbooks.

too much dumbening up, methinks..

 

[Artman]

I was a bad student in High School. I rarely did homework, but I always understood well enough to pass the tests. In Algebra, I was constantly reprimanded for trying to do the problems on the blackboard my own way (since I rarely did my homework, the teacher almost always called on me to work the problems out on the board) I got the right answers, but without using the teacher's method. It didn't help that my friend didn't do homework either, (he was a bright guy, just not math inclined) and if he got called to the blackboard and I didn't, he would try and get the answers from me. The teacher would see this and send me up there too.

Anyway, there was this guy in my Algebra classes all through High School that drove me crazy. He made the classes soooooo boring because he could not grasp concepts. The teacher would go over and over the same thing to try and get it through this moron's thick head! He was in advanced classes, but obviously (to me anyway) he was holding everyone else back. He did his homework, and worked hard, but barely squeeked by on tests. I did almost no homework and did better than him on the tests.

 

[misogynisticfeminist]

I get all edgy when I don't see a proof especially when I am self-studying. I have known tons of people who can't be arsed about proofs ! That's indeed sad, especially here in Singapore, even the teachers are like that. I used to have a math teacher, great guy, but he delved too much into proofs till he lost the whole class (me included,...), but he's definitely one teacher I respect alot.

I think proofs are great, you don't need to take out a book to look at a problem to solve, just take out a piece of paper and you're on your way. I always try proving something (esp. in physics) in my spare time.

I think its the whole system and teachers. But you have to put it in perspective, no one does physics for physics' sake (or any other subject). I asked a lot of my friends, the reason they do physics or math not because they want to learn the underlying mechanisms but rather the most common answer I get is "I need to get an A so I could get into that engineering course".

To me, hardly anyone i know do physics or math for fun.

 

[KingNothing]

Doing physics problems without understanding physics (conceptually)...isnt that basically the same as doing math? Also, miso, what do you mean by "no one does physics for physics' sake"

Are you saying that no one does it because they feel they will make the field better?

 

[Pre-AlgebraDude]

I can also count on my own two hands all the intelligent folks I've met. I cannot, however, do the same with the unintelligent ones.

Why is it that now people think that you are stupid if you are ugly and got braces and glasses and they think they are better than you because they can afford to look pretty and take full advantage of it?

This just burns me up. And all the "cute" guys at school I hear the girls talking about are dumber than a sack of rocks. And they actually think they are better than you, and when you have cornered them by giving some long geeky response to something they have done to you, they always say "Shut up!" or "Shut the h#! up!" or "Shut the f*@k up!" or my personal favorite, "Huh?"

 

[franznietzsche]

I can also count on my own two hands all the intelligent folks I've met. I cannot, however, do the same with the unintelligent ones.

I can't count the morons either, even if i can count to 1023 on my hands.

Why is it that now people think that you are stupid if you are ugly and got braces and glasses and they think they are better than you because they can afford to look pretty and take full advantage of it?

Because they are more likely to reproduce. Its simple darwinism really.

This just burns me up. And all the "cute" guys at school I hear the girls talking about are dumber than a sack of rocks. And they actually think they are better than you, and when you have cornered them by giving some long geeky response to something they have done to you, they always say "Shut up!" or "Shut the h#! up!" or "Shut the f*@k up!" or my personal favorite, "Huh?"

The trick is to keep ridiculing them. Keep momentum on your side, eventually it will get through to their primitive neandarthal brains that they are being shamed. Then the fun begins. Rinse, repeat, on a daily basis. Its fun.

 

[bomba923]

I personally find old books much better to read than new textbooks.

too much dumbening up, methinks..

My sentiments exactly.

Anyway, there was this guy in my Algebra classes all through High School that drove me crazy. He made the classes soooooo boring because he could not grasp concepts. The teacher would go over and over the same thing to try and get it through this moron's thick head! He was in advanced classes, but obviously (to me anyway) he was holding everyone else back. He did his homework, and worked hard, but barely squeeked by on tests. I did almost no homework and did better than him on the tests.

There's probably someone like that in any class

As for the comment on ugly faces in braces--well, most of the "shut the f@*% up" comes from those people in my case. For me, those people aren't "nerds" and they aren't really intelligent (see my HS). But, for example, one is fat and others just look ugly, and act as though that gives them the right to make any social comment on "prettier" people . True, most of the cute/popular people of my school are quite "stupid" (really stupid, I mean...you should see them!)----but the same goes for the other end of the spectrum: the "ugly" people. As for "nerds," well, they are quite nice and reserved (smart, nice...you see) persons, found all across the spectrum (I like that word). But yes, do not hesitate to:

The trick is to keep ridiculing them. Keep momentum on your side, eventually it will get through to their primitive neandarthal brains that they are being shamed. Then the fun begins. Rinse, repeat, on a daily basis. Its fun.

 

[Gale]

you know, there is way too much complaining here on pf about "normal" people, or "stupid" or whatever. Really, I'm sure a lot of you out there have never taken the time to properly style your hair, or to realize what styles of clothing are most flattering. How many of you are in great shape? great health? how many of you have practiced flirting, or even just talking to people. Really, if you are so miserable about how other people are, or how they treat you, or how they ignore you, what have you done to fix that. It seems stupid to me if you haven't tried being popular, or funny, or good looking, or whatever.

But i know you guys. I know that some people are just bad around people. Some people could not wear stylish anything... no matter how hard they tried. Some people can't tell jokes if they're lives depended on it. Some people just aren't very good at understanding difficult concepts... intellectual or otherwise. I understand stuff sucks sometimes, but i know there are other people out there who think you suck too. Really... be more tolerant, less judgemental... more... nice... we all do what we can to get by. you can ask more of a person than that.

 

[misogynisticfeminist]

Doing physics problems without understanding physics (conceptually)...isnt that basically the same as doing math? Also, miso, what do you mean by "no one does physics for physics' sake"

Are you saying that no one does it because they feel they will make the field better?

What's worse actually is the memorization of definitions ! Like a question "what is a gravitational field?" would probably yield the exact same answer throughout the whole class. I've heard Zapperz said once that he went to a high-school telling the students there that physics is not just quantum or particle physics. Here in Singapore, its worse. The only impression students have of physics is classical physics.

But what i meant by no one does physics for physics' sake is that hardly anyone i know do appreciate the physical concepts behind it and truly enjoy physics. Rather, most good physics students I know end up doing engineering, because that's the most profitable field here in Singapore. And even these "good" students don't take the effort to derive any formula.

 

[Moonbear]

Nicely said Gale! A little humility goes a long way in life.

 

[mattmns]

Yes, everyone in my school is dumber than I, so are all of you. I am the smartest, coolest, hippest, person I know.

 

[franznietzsche]

you know, there is way too much complaining here on pf about "normal" people, or "stupid" or whatever. Really, I'm sure a lot of you out there have never taken the time to properly style your hair, or to realize what styles of clothing are most flattering.

Every bloody day. Bugs the crap out of me if i don't. I can't stand to leave my room looking unkempt. But I'm rather OCD. My phone has a leather holder on it, if its not perfectly symmetric it drives me nuts. And the tongues of my shoes. Thats another thing. It has to be perfectly centered, or i can't stand it.

On the other hand my room is a total mess, and if its not, it drives me nuts, it has to be messy. I have takeout boxes stacked to the ceiling. Granted, they start at the table, but that's still a good 7 feet.

How many of you are in great shape? great health? how many of you have practiced flirting, or even just talking to people. Really, if you are so miserable about how other people are, or how they treat you, or how they ignore you, what have you done to fix that. It seems stupid to me if you haven't tried being popular, or funny, or good looking, or whatever.

Great shape and great health are questionable (anybody who sleeps as little as me can't be healthy), but for the rest its a moot point. I could write a whole book on machiavellian social interaction if i was so inclined. It's not even a challenge. Which makes it boring. And bad things happen when i get bored.

But i know you guys. I know that some people are just bad around people. Some people could not wear stylish anything... no matter how hard they tried. Some people can't tell jokes if they're lives depended on it.

Yeah, those people bug me too.

Some people just aren't very good at understanding difficult concepts... intellectual or otherwise. I understand stuff sucks sometimes, but i know there are other people out there who think you suck too.

That's because they're morons. Its quite simple really.

Really... be more tolerant, less judgemental... more... nice... we all do what we can to get by. you can ask more of a person than that.

But its so much more fun doing things my way.

 

[franznietzsche]

Nicely said Gale! A little humility goes a long way in life.

Goes a long way away from me, yes.

 

[Gale]

Me: Some people just aren't very good at understanding difficult concepts... intellectual or otherwise. I understand stuff sucks sometimes, but i know there are other people out there who think you suck too.

That's because they're morons. Its quite simple really.

...intellectual or otherwise... that was a dig for close minded people as well... i don't think you quite get the concepts of tolerance or humility, i wouldn't call you a moron by any means... but you said it, not me.

 

[franznietzsche]

...intellectual or otherwise... that was a dig for close minded people as well... i don't think you quite get the concepts of tolerance or humility, i wouldn't call you a moron by any means... but you said it, not me.

Humility?

To quote Mohammed Ali, : "When you're as great as I am, it's hard to be humble."

Tolerance? That wore out before i even got to high school. By the time i got there, i had already had all my tolerance worn out by being a complete social outcast for so long. So i grew a nasty streak, and leveled the playing field.

 

[misogynisticfeminist]

I do NOT respect people whom as the thread starter originally intended to mean, people who just MEMORIZE stuff without proving anything. But as for "stupid" people as you guys have discussed. I totally disagree with it. To me, stupidity is simply a social construct. I see it as a collection of bad experiences which led them themselves to think "I am indeed stupid".

When I am explanining something to someone "slow" and he/she can't really undestand, i won't be thinking ,"this guy is too damn fuking stupid", but instead i would think "how can i change the way i explain it so he/she could better understand it?". To me, I don't believe in stupid people, stupid people are simply people who cannot absorb material the way mainstream education teaches it, NOT that they cannot absorb any material at all.

 

[franznietzsche]

To me, stupidity is simply a social construct. I see it as a collection of bad experiences which led them themselves to think "I am indeed stupid".

Ok, let's put a high school dropout at Los Alamos National Lab, since stupidity is nothing but a 'social contract'. Give me a break.

To me, I don't believe in stupid people, stupid people are simply people who cannot absorb material the way mainstream education teaches it, NOT that they cannot absorb any material at all.

They can absorb plenty of material just fine, like the phrase 'Would you like fries with that?'

 

[Gale]

Humility?

To quote Mohammed Ali, : "When you're as great as I am, it's hard to be humble."

Tolerance? That wore out before i even got to high school. By the time i got there, i had already had all my tolerance worn out by being a complete social outcast for so long. So i grew a nasty streak, and leveled the playing field.

I think you should get rid of that nasty streak and stop being a social outcast. tolerance is an important asset... as well as humility. I don't care who you are. If you can withstand adversity and still come out with a positive attitude, then you've something to be proud of.

And miso, I'm glad you can agree with me about stupidity, but can't you aslo appreciate that at least that person is attempting to make the grade. They're at least doing something as opposed to nothing. At very least they've taken the time to memorize formulas... wouldn't you think less if them if they didn't even care enough to at least do that? If you really didn't understand something, and really didn't care to, how much effort would you put towards it?

 

[franznietzsche]

I think you should get rid of that nasty streak and stop being a social outcast.

I got the nasty streak and thus stopped being a social outcast. A big machiavellian streak can do wonders for one's social life.

tolerance is an important asset... as well as humility.

Tolerance in some senses yes. In others, no.

And miso, I'm glad you can agree with me about stupidity, but can't you aslo appreciate that at least that person is attempting to make the grade.

And wasting the time of those of us who care.

They're at least doing something as opposed to nothing. At very least they've taken the time to memorize formulas... wouldn't you think less if them if they didn't even care enough to at least do that?

In a twist of irony, i would think more of them. The person who doesn't care and so chooses to do nothing, is not pretending to be something he's not. He (or she) is what he is, and makes no excuses or apologies. I can respect that.

If you really didn't understand something, and really didn't care to, how much effort would you put towards it?

Dunno, never had that problem (i've had one or the other, but never both.)

 

[Gale]

Ok, let's put a high school dropout at Los Alamos National Lab, since stupidity is nothing but a 'social contract'. Give me a break.


They can absorb plenty of material just fine, like the phrase 'Would you like fries with that?'

A high school drop out is uneducated and unfortunate, not necessarily stupid. (einstein?) And no... some people can't absorb things very well... you've obviously got your deficiencies.

 

[franznietzsche]

A high school drop out is uneducated and unfortunate, not
necessarily stupid. (einstein?)

god...

Einstein was not a high school dropout, he was a PhD.

Bloody hell, what is it with people and bringing up outright falsehoods about him to try and prove that uneducated people can make breakthroughs in physics? I mean seriously.

OK, so let's put that dropout in charge of bomb design. Really.

And no... some people can't absorb things very well

I know, i meet them every day. I'm surrounded by them.

you've obviously got your deficiencies.

Because i don't believe in a daft socialist ideal that all humans are innately equal and good? That the blatantly stupid are rather 'unfortunate, and in every way equal to those' who are not morons? Ok I can live with that.

 

[Gale]

god...

Einstein was not a high school dropout, he was a PhD.

Bloody hell, what is it with people and bringing up outright falsehoods about him to try and prove that uneducated people can make breakthroughs in physics? I mean seriously.

OK, so let's put that dropout in charge of bomb design. Really.

eventually he got a PhD, but he dropped out first. I nearly dropped out of high school, and i have friends who have as well. some aren't very intellectual, others were. Actually, when i was considering dropping out, i found an article on smart kids who do...
sides, i didn't say anything about uneducated people making breakthroughs, i only said drop out aren't necessarily stupid.

Because i don't believe in a daft socialist ideal that all humans are innately equal and good? That the blatantly stupid are rather 'unfortunate, and in every way equal to those' who are not morons? Ok I can live with that.

I didn't say anything about us all being equal, or even being good. I certainly don't believe we're all equal, but i do believe that we've all good and bad qualities. What makes you so wonderful and better than everyone else? what makes anyone better than anyone else? how can you take into account every aspect of a person and compare it was someone else and possibly make any conclusions?? There are too many factors, and too many possible interpretations of each factor... We aren't equal, but i don't think you can say who;s better and who's worse.

 

[franznietzsche]

I didn't say anything about us all being equal, or even being good. I certainly don't believe we're all equal, but i do believe that we've all good and bad qualities.

And what constitutes good or bad qualities?

What makes you so wonderful and better than everyone else? what makes anyone better than anyone else?

*sigh*

Am i the only person around who reads Nietzsche?

If you understood his rejection of the idea that good and evil are opposites, and by extension, the rejection of the idea of opposites in general.

Stupidity and genius are not opposites, they are two facets of the same trait. Further, neither is any way preferable to the other, in a purely objective sense.

Indeed, nothing is inherently 'better' or of greater value than anything else, not objectively.

Once realizing this, one is free to choose one's values in such a way that best fosters one's will to power.

What i value, is a will to power. What i respect, is a will to power. A will to power can take almost any manifestation, and its manifestations, no matter how unexpected are easily recognized.

how can you take into account every aspect of a person and compare it was someone else and possibly make any conclusions?? There are too many factors, and too many possible interpretations of each factor... We aren't equal, but i don't think you can say who;s better and who's worse.

You are wrong, and then you are right, though entirely by mistake, since you are not right in the sense that you are thinking.

How can i take into account every aspect of a person? Quite easily, there aren't very many aspects.

Possible interpretations? Please. There is reality, and then there is whatever you want to make up because it pleases you. Thats all.

And as for the last line, see the above mention of the nonexistence of opposites and value.

Honestly, if everyone would just read Beyond Good and Evil, and Thus Spoke Zarathustra, i would enver have to explain myself anymore.

 

[Gale]

Honestly, if everyone would just read Beyond Good and Evil, and Thus Spoke Zarathustra, i would enver have to explain myself anymore.

interesting ideas... i think you express yourself poorly... i think you like explaining yourself... and your pm box is full...

 

[Moonbear]

You are wrong, and then you are right, though entirely by mistake, since you are not right in the sense that you are thinking.

Wow, that was a pretty condescending statement!

Gale has made some good points here about acceptance of other people. Just because someone isn't good in physics, or hasn't yet grasped the concepts well enough to get beyond memorization, doesn't mean they are stupid, it just means physics isn't their strength, or they haven't quite acquired that strength yet. When I was in high school, I was one of those students who memorized all the equations because I didn't yet have the math background to fully understand how they were derived (if the guidance counselor knew anything about physics, she might have done me the favor of recommending I wait to take physics in my senior year when I had the calculus to go with it). Since I didn't know why I didn't understand, having not had the calculus to know that's where the concepts were taught that I needed, I hated physics! Truly hated it in high school, and I would have never thought I'd wind up someday visiting a physics forum and telling students to hang in there and stick with it because it really is fun.

Now, did it make me stupid because I was memorizing those equations to scrape by and pass the class in high school? No, it did not. It just meant I didn't yet have the skill set I needed to master that particular subject. I was terrible in history class too. It was taught in a way that was so dreadfully boring, I never even had the motivation to study it. Now I read books about history for entertainment I enjoy it so much, and wish I had more time to indulge in that.

So, for those people who are going to be condescending about those who are still struggling in high school and who haven't quite found their passion in life yet, get over yourselves.

 

[franznietzsche]

interesting ideas... i think you express yourself poorly

I tend to assume to much of the same background and thought when speaking. An unfortunate side effect of too much internal discourse when I'm awake and no one else is.

... i think you like explaining yourself

Sometimes. I don't like giving full lectures on nietzsche though. Love reading it, but its not easy to explain, its not written as a discourse. The books are essentially 200 pages of rambling and ranting, with only a minimum of structure. This is because they are largely written in short aphorisms.

... and your pm box is full...

fixed.

 

[Knavish]

This thread has turned into a cesspool of arrogance. Franznietzsche, you must have been really neglected and forcefully outcasted to come out with such a heart..

Why do you make an effort to oppose simple, gracious behaviour in everyday life? You're wearing yourself out; and, of course, as you have probably found out, it's not getting you anywhere. What's the point of sequestering yourself and hating everybody? It's stupid, and you know it. What's the point of devoting so much of your time to making pointless, cocky posts on the internet? It's damn stupid too. Seriously, the only reason I can imagine somebody dishing out peremptory one-liners is for attention.

Well, anyway, maybe once you stop fighting the society to stick out - and, don't worry, everybody loves attention - you'll realize how much more peaceful it is to be yourself.

 

[KingNothing]

I, like the rest of my forum buddies here probably don't want to read through this whole nietsche-gale drama that has played itself out. Yes, many people have redeeming qualities. Some people are all around better than others, as well. The topic at hand was how many people were basically stupid, which isn't a very hard question, and by no means do redeeming qualities like health or socialization make a person not stupid.

And let's be honest, people are stupid. People are ugly. People are jerks. There's really no reason (moonbear) to say that those people simply haven't reached 'that point' (of being un-stupid, etc) yet if they are generally not trying to and don't plan to. Besides, give credit where credit is due - recognize stupid people as stupid, ugly as ugly, etc. It's no different than recognizing good qualities.

 

[Pengwuino]

"How many people in your physics and chemistry (and other science) classes just memorized equations, and actually had no idea how it worked or what the equations meant?"

For me, around 50%. Which is pretty funny when the teacher throws a wrench in a test and asks for a logical explanation of whatever the unit is about.

Everyone...

 

[RoboSapien]

They Used to think I am stupid but as years past by they realized that it was their incomprehendibility that was the problem. Because now they know what I used to talk about but today they still can't understand what I say.

 

[graphic7]

I think we're generalizing too much here. We need to create some classifications. Yes, not all students are idiots just because they haven't learned the material. Let's call those group, A, which are the ones that have a slight interest to learn it. There's also another bunch of students that 1) don't have a familiarisation with material, yet 2) don't want to 3) and will make it hard for you by making your social life hell, so let's call them group, B.

I think franz here is referring to group B. In that case, I absolutely agree with him. If a student is making my social life hell, how do you think I should treat his academic life? I'm not going send flames, I'm going to send napalm.

Edit: I've met these type of students before. I had to deal with them all through high school, which is primarily the reason I graduated high school 3 years earlier than I should have. These are also the people that make high school nothing more than a social hunting ground, therefore, making high school a very, very unproductive environment (certainly something I don't want to take part of). As franz would say, the (public) school system is ran by politicians, and is fundamentally flawed. In absolutely, no way does it let students who have or have the capability to master the material to enjoy their full potential while they attend it.

 

[misogynisticfeminist]

Now, did it make me stupid because I was memorizing those equations to scrape by and pass the class in high school? No, it did not. It just meant I didn't yet have the skill set I needed to master that particular subject. I was terrible in history class too. It was taught in a way that was so dreadfully boring, I never even had the motivation to study it. Now I read books about history for entertainment I enjoy it so much, and wish I had more time to indulge in that.

So, for those people who are going to be condescending about those who are still struggling in high school and who haven't quite found their passion in life yet, get over yourselves.

Actually mooonbear, I have to say that its not specifically about people who don't derive equations whom i consider "stupid". Of course, its about ENQUIRY, the people who don't bother to question, to challenge and to ask and simply memorize model answers are those who i simply look down on.

 

[Monique]

Of course, its about ENQUIRY, the people who don't bother to question, to challenge and to ask and simply memorize model answers are those who i simply look down on.

You should not look down on other people. Not everyone has the same objective in life. For you it is to understand all the workings of equations, for others it will be something else.

If someone is a professor in the field and does not know how an equation works, you are free to call him stupid.