[Cspace]

I think I posted something similar to this about a year ago, but I figured that it's time again since many of us went back to school or college recently.

What do you feel is the most useless thing they teach in school? Be specific... Don't just list a subject like Math.



... I still think imaginary numbers.

[Atilla]

Everyone's answer is going to be pretty subjective. One could argue that all education is pointless.

But going under the assumption that it's not, I think I could've gone through life without knowing that Russel was a fan of Wittgenstein, who studied Frege, who was influenced by the british empiricists such as Locke, which stemmed out as a reaction to Decartes' Holism, which came to be when Aristotle was rediscovered by the layperson, who was a student of Plato, who was a student of Socrates, who acknowledged that he, in fact, was ignorant, and that his predecessors such as Thales, Anaximander, and Heraclitus were as well.

Of course, if I hadn't learned all these things I wouldn't be a philosophy student.

Actually, when seriously considering the premise, I don't believe there is a such thing as useless knowledge.

[Goto]

Whereas those that wanted to go into any kind of science or engineering would need to know about them, and the easiest way is for everyone to have a low-level understanding of them early on.

I'd suggest something like complex numbers, but those keep popping up a whole bunch in other things I'm learning now.

I think History can be fairly useless if it's badly taught, which it mostly was at my school. I understand the need for understanding the follies of the past to attempt to avoid repeating them, but too often it becomes about trying to memorize dates rather than getting a broader understanding of the events.

[Charlie]

I'm still sticking with Algebra, no point what so ever. When is anyone gonna want you to know the value of A in a job?

[Atilla]

I'm still sticking with Algebra, no point what so ever. When is anyone gonna want you to know the value of A in a job?

When you're running a business and A stands for a profit variable.

[Spikeout]

Whereas those that wanted to go into any kind of science or engineering would need to know about them, and the easiest way is for everyone to have a low-level understanding of them early on.

I'd suggest something like complex numbers, but those keep popping up a whole bunch in other things I'm learning now.

I think History can be fairly useless if it's badly taught, which it mostly was at my school. I understand the need for understanding the follies of the past to attempt to avoid repeating them, but too often it becomes about trying to memorize dates rather than getting a broader understanding of the events.

I like history, especially when reading it from another countries' perspective. I think that knowing America went with the Gold standard instead of the Bi-Metal(Silver & Gold) standard was pretty cool haha. Britain had already established their empire around the world and they made gold the standard, so America wanted to compete so they went with the gold standard in the States. It's all pretty cool with me realizing that America is an imperialistic power rather than this "free and liberating nation." Yeah it's cool looking at it from a different perspective. As for the most useless thing, probably math proofs .

[Ratty]

I'm still sticking with Algebra, no point what so ever. When is anyone gonna want you to know the value of A in a job?

When you're running a business and A stands for a profit variable.

Or if you're engineering a bridge, A could be the needed strength of the supports so the bridge doesnt collapse. Algebra is damn important, Charlee.

[Neraphym]

They tried to teach me how to play retarded gym games that no one would ever play.

[Star Jedi]

Calculus of a bazillion variables. o_O (at least it's useless in the medical field..)

I would say Econ, but I've found it to be interesting.. Maybe that's because I have a good teacher

[Nazē.]

PE.

[.:Nightmare:.]

PE.

i agree...

[Res]

I could say many subjects. However, I believe PE is one of the more useless subjects. I took all my 'PE' classes before I transferred to public school. My martial arts lessons were categorized as PE. Those were fantastic. However, PE taught in schools is rather meaningless.

Also. I find a very difficult way for linear equations/graphing systematic equations/slope intercept to be fairly useless with my upcoming field. Though it may be disagreed upon, and while surveying may take some of those skills, I find it hard to imagine I can't figure something out otherwise.

Or I would at least use a method other than what was taught in school.

[Dragonman]

Addition/Subtraction/Multiplication/Division. If you don't have access to a calculator at your job, then it probably isn't a real job. And your mom is probably calling you up for dinner.

[x..]

PE.

i agree...

third'd. I think I know how to play hockey/rugby/football/able to run.

[Charlie]

I'm still sticking with Algebra, no point what so ever. When is anyone gonna want you to know the value of A in a job?

When you're running a business and A stands for a profit variable.

Or if you're engineering a bridge, A could be the needed strength of the supports so the bridge doesnt collapse. Algebra is damn important, Charlee.

Meanie! Don't outsmart me!

Well I'll never use it anyway