tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222630007427380394.post3174582399766637486..comments2023-12-20T04:18:41.617-06:00Comments on The Hunting of the Snark: For God And DouthatSusan of Texashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00076915322771385454noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222630007427380394.post-63158131117170044052012-12-19T09:03:37.772-06:002012-12-19T09:03:37.772-06:00The homework pressures have eased but I was sick a...The homework pressures have eased but I was sick at exactly the wrong time and now I have to do everything for Christmas in, let's see, NO TIME AT ALL.<br /><br />But who could resist a McMeltdown? Susan of Texashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00076915322771385454noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222630007427380394.post-69405354693945939972012-12-17T20:25:10.483-06:002012-12-17T20:25:10.483-06:00http://www.balloon-juice.com/2012/12/17/megan-mcar...http://www.balloon-juice.com/2012/12/17/megan-mcardle-suggests-we-train-children-to-act-as-human-body-shields-seriously/Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222630007427380394.post-84463825889516031222012-12-13T14:38:16.204-06:002012-12-13T14:38:16.204-06:00Megan's Christmas Kitchen Guide!
http://www.t...Megan's Christmas Kitchen Guide!<br /><br />http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/12/13/the-2012-annual-kithen-gift-guide.html<br /><br />If the Oxo Hand Chopper (and the constant repetition of "southern boy") doesn't get Susan writing, it's all over.Downpuppyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10312490198813632190noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222630007427380394.post-6215054964567214562012-12-11T19:33:02.391-06:002012-12-11T19:33:02.391-06:00Susan where are you?
Ohlemacher is still cranking...Susan where are you?<br /><br />Ohlemacher is still cranking it out, but I'm keeping up -<br />http://downpuppy.blogspot.com/2012/12/ohlemacher-goes-pure-disinformation.htmlDownpuppyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10312490198813632190noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222630007427380394.post-6492385396367280242012-12-06T12:55:47.552-06:002012-12-06T12:55:47.552-06:00Douthat is somehow so pathetic that I can't ge...Douthat is somehow so pathetic that I can't get into mocking him. Myabe once he has a follower...<br /><br />Anyhow, I went in a different direction on a dy off today - http://downpuppy.blogspot.com/2012/12/5-dead-in-boston.html<br /><br />Fatal bike accidents.Downpuppyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10312490198813632190noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222630007427380394.post-55460654386595008282012-12-05T21:01:02.156-06:002012-12-05T21:01:02.156-06:00Susan of Texas writes:
>>>>>... yo...Susan of Texas writes:<br /><br />>>>>><i>... you will end up having to re-learn algebra to teach it to your kids.</i><<<<<<br /><br />If you mean you're re-learning it to teach it to your own child and not a class, nevermind. (But wouldn't it be easier in that case just to enforce a stricter curfew on your son or daughter and make 'em spend more time on their homework.)CMikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13481861530761114492noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222630007427380394.post-1804318401728713932012-12-05T20:28:43.825-06:002012-12-05T20:28:43.825-06:00Susan of Texas writes:
>>>>>...all...Susan of Texas writes:<br /><br />>>>>><i>...all my spare time is taken up re-learning algebra...</i><<<<<<<br /><br />Ever hear of Lancelot Hogben? According to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lancelot_Hogben" rel="nofollow">Wikipedia,</a> "[h]e is best known for developing <i>Xenopus laevis</i> as a model organism for biological reserch in his early career, attacking the eugneics movement in the middle of his career, and popularising books on science, mathematics, and language in his later career."<br /><br />Now why the study of the African clawed frog is so useful to biologists I couldn't say but, in the matter of Hogben, I do know enough to recommend one particular math book of his to any non-academic with an interest in the subject. (I assume S of T, you're catching up on your algebra in order to teach it in secondary school but, nonetheless, you would not describe yourself as an academic in the field of mathematics.)<br /><br />Hogben's<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mathematics-Million-Master-Magic-Numbers/dp/039331071X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1354760421&sr=1-1&keywords=mathematics+for+the+million" rel="nofollow"> Mathematics for the Million</a> (1937, 1940, 1943, 1951, 1967, 1968, 1983, reissued 1993) provides an alternative approach for learning introductory algebra and other branches of mathematics. My favorite part of the book is where he I remember he illustrates the quadratic equation geometrically, which, for me, transformed it from something weird looking and difficult to memorize into a concept I could visualize ever after. Here's Hogben:<br /><br />>>>>><b><i>Instructions for Readers of this Book</i></b><br /><br /><i>The customary way of writing a book about mathematics is to show how each step follows logically from the one before without telling you what use there will be in taking it. This book is written to show you how each step follows historically from the step before and what use it will be to you or someone else if it is taken, The first method repels many people who are intelligent and socially alive, because intelligent people are suspicious of mere logic, and people who are socially alive regard the human brain as an instrument for social activity.</i><<<<<<br /><br />Alas, unless you have a rare aptitude, even with this approach, if the math under discussion is new to you you'll have to work at learning it. However, for those who have managed to complete an introductory course in a particular area, this book will provide the thoughtful reader insight beyond the one they were looking for when they first encountered the subject, i.e. how were they going to be able to come up with the right answers on any tests they had to pass. <br /><br />>>>>><i>Although care has been taken to see that all the logical, or, as we ought to say, the grammatical, rules are put in a continuous sequence, you must not expect that you will necessarily follow every step in the argument the first time you read it. An eminent Scottish mathematician gave a sound piece of advice for lack of which lack of which many people have been discouraged unnecessarily. "Every mathematical book worth anything," said Chrystal, "must be read backwards and forwards... the advice a French mathematician, </i>allez en avant et la foi vous viendra [push on and faith will catch up with you]."<<<<<<br /><br />My own suggestion for reading the book is to, perhaps, read through the Prologue: <i>The Parable of Achilles and the Tortoise</i> and Chapter 1: <i>Mathematics in Remote Antiquity,</i> skip Chapter 2, and move on the subsequent chapters which do not have to be read in order. I'll also mention that, if I remember correctly, most first year algebra courses include an introduction to Napier's logarithms which Hogben takes up in Chapter 9: <i>Logarithms and the Search for Series.</i> IMO, these chapters are worth a read for anyone who teaches introductory algebra.CMikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13481861530761114492noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222630007427380394.post-57436900241645737312012-12-05T14:10:26.468-06:002012-12-05T14:10:26.468-06:00I think this is just him spewing his domestic matt...I think this is just him spewing his domestic matter all over the paper of record.davidlyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04754707934311038544noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222630007427380394.post-51769437343861842112012-12-04T18:30:18.983-06:002012-12-04T18:30:18.983-06:00I imagine both, KWillow. Belt and suspenders appr...I imagine both, KWillow. Belt and suspenders approach.zombie rotten mcdonaldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10601960953323752278noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222630007427380394.post-15203786284891145102012-12-04T17:50:58.413-06:002012-12-04T17:50:58.413-06:00Ross and his wive have NOT been pumping out a baby...Ross and his wive have NOT been pumping out a baby-a-year as all good catholics should! Is she using birth control, or does she just have a constant headache?Kathyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03176801494652946278noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222630007427380394.post-37761853650532537322012-12-04T17:01:42.049-06:002012-12-04T17:01:42.049-06:00It's a pity we all can't meet with Ross pe...<i>It's a pity we all can't meet with Ross personally to discuss our fertility plans.</i><br /><br />I recommend you Kickstarter that concept.zombie rotten mcdonaldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10601960953323752278noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222630007427380394.post-44662293019837463602012-12-04T17:00:42.392-06:002012-12-04T17:00:42.392-06:00In the face of stagnating wages and lowered expect...In the face of stagnating wages and lowered expectations for kids going to school NOW, a declining birthrate is entirely rational.<br /><br />Ross, if we could somehow increase demand through stimus and deficit spending, opportunities increase, people become happier and upwardly mobile, and birthrates will go back up. <br /><br />more babies will not improve the economy.<br /><br />But then, Ross is all about restricting access to birth control, ever since Chunky Reese Witherspoon.zombie rotten mcdonaldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10601960953323752278noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222630007427380394.post-64471633572999399802012-12-04T16:53:45.726-06:002012-12-04T16:53:45.726-06:00That picture would fit right in to "Hot Chick...That picture would fit right in to "Hot Chicks with Douchebags".zombie rotten mcdonaldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10601960953323752278noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222630007427380394.post-74149650450762570512012-12-04T14:52:10.729-06:002012-12-04T14:52:10.729-06:00I thought his whole schtick was the "Sam'...I thought his whole schtick was the "Sam's Club" republican thing, in other words pro family, pro working class and not totally in the thrall of Ayn Rand and Herbert Spencer viz a viz destroying the safety net.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222630007427380394.post-46556070285833469992012-12-04T11:42:23.081-06:002012-12-04T11:42:23.081-06:00How the hell did Rossford bag that blonde?
Or wit...How the hell did Rossford bag that blonde?<br /><br />Or with how much offshore dinero?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222630007427380394.post-6936603212372670402012-12-03T20:20:36.399-06:002012-12-03T20:20:36.399-06:00It's a pity we all can't meet with Ross pe...It's a pity we all can't meet with Ross personally to discuss our fertility plans.Susan of Texashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00076915322771385454noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222630007427380394.post-40294574078269772032012-12-03T18:59:29.428-06:002012-12-03T18:59:29.428-06:00He would do anything for love, but he won't Do...He would do anything for love, but he won't Douthat.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222630007427380394.post-67565461701858089112012-12-03T14:50:03.772-06:002012-12-03T14:50:03.772-06:00Ross, why don't you Douthat.
~Ross, why don't <i>you</i> Douthat.<br />~ifthethunderdontgetya™³²®©https://www.blogger.com/profile/06252371815131259831noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222630007427380394.post-89420997884939707542012-12-03T14:39:24.855-06:002012-12-03T14:39:24.855-06:00Maybe this god you speak of just doesn't want ...Maybe this god you speak of just doesn't want ross to have childrens.goodman.dlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10070276378311938150noreply@blogger.com