Jesus Christ, now they're teaching Arabic to our kids. Next thing we'll be letting pedagogies loose in our schools.
https://twitter.com/highbrow_nobrow/status/1765739549316050992
What a disc race, it'll be Latin letters next. Mark my words.
Not just Latin letters, whole Latin words
E pluribus unum, and all that
(although, being fair for a moment, knowing that the numerals we use come from arabic is fairly esoteric knowledge, I don't really think people should be castigated for not knowing that)
Blimey. They’ll be teaching the kids it’s OK to be a Homo Sapien before long.
😀 took me a second
This has been going round as long as the internet 😂
Traditional Roman numerals were taught back in my day!
db (age XLIX and S⁙)
What the hell is "S⁙"?
Google's giving me nothing beyond "five dot punctuation." (Apparently that pattern is known generically (eg, face 5 of a die) as a Quincunx.)
Deunx or 11/12ths - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_numerals (fractions section)
This is why it should be taught more in schools 😀
Wot a duckrace.
These days you can’t even so you’re English.
These days you can't even say you're English without being arrested and thrown in jail.
Took me more than a few seconds, I'd already mentally voted yes before it occured to me that they already do. I was half way down the thread before I remembered that Arab numbers aren't the same as Arab numerals and that I only knew that because as argee says I'd seen it on the Net before.
Quincunx
Mod: swear filter avoidance. 🙃
The numbering system we use is frequently referred to as Arabic numerals, Arabs were working in highly sophisticated mathematics millennia ago, they were making discoveries way before the Greeks, some of which are still being re-discovered in previously lost manuscripts.
Reading any review of watches will usually show a reference to Arabic numerals, to show the indices are 1, 2, 3, etc, instead of I,II, III, IV, or else just large dots, strokes, rectangles, etc.
Twitter/X.
I pity you.
The numbering system we use is frequently referred to as Arabic numerals,
But is it though, really?
Wait until they find out about al'gebra
Aren't these surveys just done by 'intellectual' groups to make their members feels smug that they know the formal names and the 'common' people don't?
It is the same kind of pointless snobbery and social bullying used a lot by the socially or intellectually insecure to try and maintain the veneer of superiority over the less educated*.
*Less educated, NOT less intelligent
WCA +1
I thought they were Indian numerals- but named as such as they were introduced to the west by the Arabs
Not just intellectual groups, WCA, this is a bike forum. And we all know Twitter/X is a step beyond whether being washed along the gutter or surfing the wave of pretention. But as this is chat and FB-ATB inspired me to Wiki it you may as well all benefit:
Aren’t these surveys just done by ‘intellectual’ groups to make their members feels smug that they know the formal names and the ‘common’ people don’t?
No, it's to highlight racism. Do you suppose the results would be comparable if it was asking about teaching Roman numerals?
I thought they were Indian numerals- but named as such as they were introduced to the west by the Arabs
I thought India just gave us 0.
IE pretty much invented mathematics.
I have known it's Arabic numerals since primary school. Pretty much the day Roman numerals were discussed, "we use Arabic numbers but the Romans use Roman numerals"
I think it might have been based on clock faces.
It doesn't highlight racism though, Cougar. If you ask questions about the teaching of local languages in schools you get similar results. Same race, same origin, same town. It's just narrow mindedness.
As I said,
"Do you suppose the results would be comparable if it was asking about teaching Roman numerals?"
Because I don't. But of course, we're both speculating.
Roman numerals is a common term, most people understand what it is, more than would associate arabic numerals with our stndard numbering system. And frankly I hope most people wouldn't expect roman numerals to be taught as it is pretty much a waste of educational time in the modern world (and after all what have the Romans ever done for us).
Do you think if people were asked if Balkan numerals should be taught in schools would the answer also be comparable? or do you think they might consider it a waste of time and prefer kids be taught some maths, computing and a bit of Spanish.
And frankly I hope most people wouldn’t expect roman numerals to be taught as it is pretty much a waste of educational time in the modern world
My 7yr old is doing Roman numerals at the moment, in maths. They did the romans in history before Christmas, anglo-saxons this term. But roman numerals in maths this term instead of last to tie it together🤷♂️
I do however hate the way I was indoctrinated in school by the French. For this reason I have never and shall never go to La Rochelle.
752 years is a long time to bear a grudge.
And frankly I hope most people wouldn’t expect roman numerals to be taught as it is pretty much a waste of educational time in the modern world (and after all what have the Romans ever done for us).
By that argument, plenty of things are a waste of educational time. At high school I learned about the Roundheads and the Cavaliers, that's proven invaluable in the subsequent thirtymumble years.
Do you think if people were asked if Balkan numerals should be taught in schools would the answer also be comparable? or do you think they might consider it a waste of time and prefer kids be taught some maths, computing and a bit of Spanish.
Assuming ignorance amongst its audience, compare:
Should we teach Arabic numerals in school?
Should we teach Roman numerals in school?
Should we teach Spanish numerals in school?
If you believe that poll would generate equal results in all three categories, I have a bridge to sell you. The question is specifically about Arabic and the reason for that is because it is specifically targeting racism. There are people who wouldn't drink Halal water, they walk among us like normal people.
Where's Ernie when you need him?
Where’s Ernie when you need him?
He'll be busy slagging off Europe and Europeans. With a special contempt for the French because he had to do national service. 😉
Of you choices I think you'd find a positive reply to Roman numerals becuase people know what they are and similar negative results for Spanish and Arabic. In fact you might get even less enthusiasm for Spanish in some American states. 🙂
Jesus Christ, now they’re teaching Arabic to our kids. Next thing we’ll be letting pedagogies loose in our schools.
LOL! The more the merrier tbh.
Is there one best way of understanding?
It gets worse. They are teaching Regional Dialect on Kids TV now!!!
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frankly I hope most people wouldn’t expect roman numerals to be taught as it is pretty much a waste of educational
Some things are better in Roman Numerals. Algebra for example is much, much easier, X is always 10.
I think you’d find... similar negative results for Spanish and Arabic.
I really, really bet you wouldn't.
It is the same kind of pointless snobbery and social bullying used a lot by the socially or intellectually insecure to try and maintain the veneer of superiority over the less educated*.
I think that's certainly part of it. Another part of it is "don't leap in with an answer if you're not exactly sure what the question means" which isn't really an exercise is snobbery. And the last part is just a bit of silly internet meme like asking people to refill the indicator fluid on their BMW.
The group that gets the most hate in the US in areas where they are the biggest ethnic group is Hispanics:
https://hbswk.hbs.edu/item/why-the-largest-minority-group-faces-the-most-hate
The orignal twitter post is US, I'm talking about the US and studies on which communities are discrimaniated against in the US say you'd get similar results for Spanish numerals.
Last I checked, Twitter was available to a worldwide audience.
Yeah, but we're talking about one post on Twitter about Americans.
You absolutely want to accuse anyone who answered no of racism, Cougar. It's not as simple as that, there was one question which was aimed at tripping up people who were ignorant of what Arabic Numerals are and assuming they said no for racist reasons.
I'd forgotten I'd seen it before (a bit like telefilms on France 3 which I watch ten minutes of before realising I've seen it before) so had forgotten what Arab numerals were for the time it took to make a decision. The decision was 'yes' because I'm in favour of a broad school curriculum which includes things on langages, culture, Persia, Rosetta stone etc., then I remembered I'd seen it before. But some people (including some people on STW) think only 'useful' stuff should be taught, they might have dismissed Arabic numerals as uselass crap not worth teaching for entirely non-racist reasons as they might dismiss learning about 14th century sea battles.
It's one of those nonsense Internet things with an agenda: 'how can we make people look racist even if they aren't'. Given more than 30seconds of thought I'd have answered 'no' rather than my instinctive 'yes' as a finger raised to an attempt to manipulate a result that says x% of people are racist - 'you think everyone is racist if they don't know what Arab neumerals are, that's perhaps because you are'. note that's in quote and not aimed at anyone in particular.
we’re talking about one post on Twitter about Americans.
Do you suppose that only Americans responded to the global poll?
You absolutely want to accuse anyone who answered no of racism, Cougar.
That isn't the case at all. My accusation, such as there is one at all, is directed at the question setter. Why else would someone ask that question? It's either to shine a light into racism or it's for the LOLs.
But hey, try it yourself. Stick up a Twitter poll asking whether American schools should teach Spanish numerals and see what results you get. Given that according to previous posters here the #1 racism in the US is directed against Hispanics it should be a landslide in comparison. Bet you my bike it isn't.
So you're happy to believe in one type of racism but not another.
Twitter/X is a lot less global than you make out:
https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/twitter-users-by-country
And in some countries users use their native language rather than English which further limits those who will read. Along with the fact people follow locally, except maybe in the 51st state.
"I thought India just gave us 0."
That's a bit rude.
What about Chess and Chicken Tikka Masala 😛
Ha.
To be fair I did state the importance of that single contribution.
You forgot snakes and ladders btw.
The @Intellectualist on Twitter and Threads is a site that just pokes fun at Republicans/right wing Americans for their lack of curiosity, casual racism, and double standards. Its an endless parade of this sort of stunt. A post from them asking folks in 2024 about anything nuanced (or not for that matter) to do with the middle east is inviting people to demonstrate their ignorance, that's what the question is designed to do, and it looks like it achieved it.
I mean you could open the thread a bit wider on why anyone would actually vote on a twitter poll anyway, but this fishing trip got the catch it was looking for.
So you’re happy to believe in one type of racism but not another.
I'm speculating and theorising, not believing in anything. I'll believe it when it's evidenced.
And in some countries users use their native language rather than English which further limits those who will read. Along with the fact people follow locally, except maybe in the 51st state.
English is the de facto language of the Web. Something like half to two thirds of the Web is in English depending whose stats you believe, the rest is a smattering of various different ones around 5% and falling.
If it weren't for those bloody Ay-rabs preserving knowledge from classical Greece, Europe could have dodged the renaissance and avoided making all those pornographic nudie statues that are corrupting Americas youth.
Leonardo you dirty sod, I'm looking at you.
like asking people to refill the indicator fluid on their BMW.
Ah, that’s why their indicators never seem to work, they’ve run out of paraffin! Explains everything. 🤣
The numbering system we use is frequently referred to as Arabic numerals
I just call them numbers. I had no idea they were Arabic in origin. I’ve either learned something new today or I’m a massive ****ing racist. Anyway US schools are far too busy teaching active shooter drills and creationism to bother with foreign stuff.
Aren’t these surveys just done by ‘intellectual’ groups to make their members feels smug that they know the formal names and the ‘common’ people don’t?
Pretty much. Allowing people to feel smug about knowing a word.
I will admit I do it as well. My daughter is learning the guitar and her mum / my partner doesn't know what a hammer on is. Ooh how we belittle her lack of knowledge.
If it weren’t for those bloody Ay-rabs preserving knowledge from classical Greece, Europe could have dodged the renaissance and avoided making all those pornographic nudie statues that are corrupting Americas youth.
Yeah, how very dare they be the guardians of knowledge during Europe's dark age.
I just call them numbers.
The squiggly things you write on paper are numerals. They are used to represent numbers, which are abstract concepts.
My daughter is learning the guitar and her mum / my partner doesn’t know what a hammer on is.
There's also the reverse of the hammer on, which I won't make a joke about seeing as it's your daughter.
The squiggly things you write on paper are numerals. They are used to represent numbers, which are abstract concepts.
Indeed. I only learned the difference after a spot of judicious googling because of this thread.
I will admit I do it as well. My daughter is learning the guitar and her mum / my partner doesn’t know what a hammer on is. Ooh how we belittle her lack of knowledge.
I'm assuming that your partner isn't Joni Mitchell? (I've just spent a while wondering which famous female guitarist to name. Depends on the age-group, I guess, so would Nancy Wilson be more relevant? Bonnie Raitt? St Vincent is surely too young for STW? Sister Rosetta Tharpe may just about be trending on here 😀 )
The squiggly things you write on paper are numerals. They are used to represent numbers, which are abstract concepts.
I don’t give a shit what the correct term is. Still numbers to me and I will continue to call them numbers because that is how 99.999999999999% of people refer to them.
How is 3 the magic number.
Why do we have phone numbers? House numbers? The number of the beast?
