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“Logic and mathematics are nothing but specialized linguistic structures.
– Jean Piaget, psychologist
“… I avoided all the hard sciences to focus on the safer, softer subjects…”
I was flunking grade 12 physics, and so, in grave danger of not graduating from my high school. I had already flunked grade seven and so was familiar with the guilt and shame involved. I despised physics, chemistry and mathematics. I avoided all the hard sciences to focus on the safer, softer subjects like literature, history and of course, gym. I had decided I was not “mathematically inclined” and this was endorsed, regularly, by my grades.
I had a physics teacher with an attitude; a math teacher, hard working but not inspiring; and a chemistry teacher who sat at his desk with his feet up and read the textbook to our class.
But, no mistakes only learning opportunities…I lucked out. I was dating the valedictorian from another local high school. So, she tutored me…I passed, graduated, and the rest is just a part of my own history.
But, I have learned since then that physics, chemistry and mathematics are just laws of nature in symbols systems. And, one of these nature laws is balance…you know, the one about ‘every cloud has a silver lining.’ And, ‘what goes up must come down.’ Or, my favourite, ‘you can’t lose without winning at the same second,’ and vice versa.
I know this law was working in my past schooling. So, my teachers had to benefit me just as much as they cost me. But, now, I know specifically, and exactly, how. I was reminded of the benefits when I watched Jakob Magolan’s TedTalk on organic chemistry.
“Why do children dread mathematics? Because of the wrong approach.”
– Shakuntala Devi, writer
“… it was riveting, inspiring and humbling.”
The most obvious benefit was I eventually married my grade 12 physics tutor. And we raised three daughters, and now have three grandchildren, More surprising to me, after 45 years, she still tolerates me about half the time. And, now coaches me in another science, finance, specifically, tax law.
When I watched Jakob Magolan expound on organic chemistry, it was riveting, inspiring and humbling. It was then I realized I owed my three high school teachers for awaking my curiosity for anything to do with science, which I still carry today. Which is why my three favourite magazines are: Scientific American, Discover and Nature.
“You want to know how to rhyme, then learn how to add. It’s mathematics.
– Mos Def, musician
“… try to convince me, you do NOT understand what organic chemistry is…”
I heard or read somewhere, we have 17 billion neurons in our brain, each of which is more complex than any computer ever created to date. So, if you think you are only an artsy/fartsy person or not suited for the hard sciences or are too dumb for the numbers…please watch Jakob, and think again.
Watch Jakob’s short talk and try to convince me, you do NOT understand what organic chemistry is about or its importance in your life and your future.
And, please send me your thoughts!
“If I were again beginning my studies, I would follow the advice of Plato and start with mathematics.” – Galileo Galilei, scientist
Tag:brain, chemistry, dumb, grades, hard science, high school, humbling, inspiring, mathematics, physics, riveting, science, soft science, stupid, teacher