Re: [MATHEDCC] Endless bad press

Doug Mace (mace_d@flint.baker.edu)
Tue, 7 Oct 1997 12:14:15 EDT

> Geoffrey Akst (akst@idt.net) wrote:
> >
> > About half an hour ago, I innocently turned on the TV waiting for
> > the 6 pm news. Something called _Full Hous_e was on Channel 11 here in New
> > York -- apparently a teen sit-com. Around the restaurant table, one guy
> > says: "Does anyone know anything about Advanced Algebra?" A young woman
> > responds: "I know enough not to take it!" Laughter on the sound track...
> >
> > If any of us had a nickel for every anti-math joke that we hear in
> > society at large, our salaries might be more respectable! What can we do
> > about this? How important is it to do something?
> >
> It is quite important to do something, though I don't know what the
> "something" is. The problem Geoffrey points out is large.
>
> For example, last week I heard a radio commercial for a sale at a local
> mall. Their major theme? "You don't have to solve a word problem to
> save money at ________."
>
> In another case, our local newspaper did an article on our College's
> developmental programs. In the article, our College President was
> quoted as saying:
> "I'd hate to have to take an algebra test right now."
> This comment was offensive to many of my colleagues.
>
> Does anybody have ideas on what the profession's response to this type
> of "math bashing" should be??
> (I doubt if we could use the boycott method, and throwing a fit probably
> won't be too effective.)
>
> Thanks.
> Jack
> --

Yes, we must control the terms of the debate. If you look at any
controvestial issue this nation has faced it has been a matter of
controlling the debate not the substance of the debate that mattered.
For example the Federalist Papers or your choice of topic today
Defining the temrs of the debate is most important.

Doug Mace
mace_d@flint.baker.edu
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