One of the current blog memes is the need for algerbra.

My opinion:

• I love math, I know it better than 95% of the population, which makes me an idiot in the other 5%, the people who actually use math. But I used to do calculus for fun (yeah, this was before cable), fer Newton’s sake!
• The current meme arguement seems a little misplaced to me. You don’t need to solve quadratic equations, but most high school graduates should be able to do algebraic basics. The basics are essentially fraction work, percentages and the dreaded word problems (X cost over Y months, what is if the final charge is $100 and Y = 3.5 months, what is the monthly cost….).
• Some very educated people – even if they try – won’t grok algerbra. Many very intelligent people have no social skills or writing abilities. Lack of algerbra could affect some, as well. Get over it. Not everyone is a Renaissance (wo)man.
• Life – for most folks to different degrees – requires a dash of algerbra, if for no other reason than to figure out, for X days in month and Y monthly salary, how much they have to work with per day. Don’t belittle the basics. Better to know this than to know how to program the coffee maker…

Update: This was originally posted Friday, Feb. 17, but Blogger has had issues. Reposted for the third time.