When I was in school, Algebra was alien hieroglyphics to me. It was an incomprehensible stream of symbols and numerals. There was a hamster in the science classroom name, “Vince” and he possessed the same math skills as me. No matter how many examples were shown in the book, I couldn’t make any sense of it.
To make things worse, I had a friend who was an Algebra wizard. He aced every test which constantly reminded me that Algebra actually DID make sense to some people. My friend’s math grade proved that the problem was with me. This frustrating truth didn’t stop me from passionately saying things like, “Algebra is stupid,” but I knew it wasn’t really the Algebra that was ‘stupid.’
I have sympathy for befuddled, clueless, stupid people because I’ve been one. I know what it’s like to be utterly lost. I know exactly how it feels to be out of my depth. I understand the despair that accompanies confusion. I can still remember the humiliation of standing at the chalk board with the class watching me demonstrate my complete incompetence.
If I had known then what I know now, I would have organized an Algebra protest. I’d rally all the math morons at the Principal’s office to shout obscenities and throw stuff. We would threaten Algebra teachers and their families. We would vandalize the homes of any student with a math grade about ‘C.’ We would set some cars on fire and loot some local businesses. We’d block traffic and hurl fireworks at policemen. We’d encourage the girls to be topless so they’d be taken seriously. I would stage the most violent, obscene, chaotic event possible to bring an end to Algebraic oppression!
I’m kidding.
Knowledge is the proper solution for ignorance. Light is the solution to darkness. Hatred makes it impossible to agree with either of those statements. I understand lashing out in frustration because you feel lost, overwhelmed, and stupid. I also understand that lashing out doesn’t solve any problems.
(John 1:1) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.
One Response
1. Channeling Dirty Harry, “A man’s got to know his limitations.”
2. Apposing Dirty Harry’s common sense was ancient Greek pre-Socratic philosopher Protagorus, “Man is the sum of all things,”
3. And finally, paraphrasing modern philosopher, Decarte: “I think it, therefore I am right.”
So, it is a good thing to know that you suck at algebra and that it isn’t algebra’s fault.
However, the Democrat Party, its voters and the global ruling class favor #2 and #3. And that is why the world sucks right now.
For the wellbeing of the planet, let’s all stick with Dirty Harry even if he is a figment of some Hollywood screenwriter’s imagination.