<story><title>English speakers should learn math instead of a second language</title><url>https://leosstemhacks.wordpress.com/2019/06/13/learn-math-not-mandarin/</url></story><parent_chain><item><author>mettamage</author><text>You want to learn Mandarin to talk to people who cannot speak the languages you know, or because you’re interested in Chinese culture&amp;#x2F;history.&lt;p&gt;You learn math because you want to be able to quantify scientific questions, or because you want to dig deep into quantitative logic for its own sake.&lt;p&gt;But what if you want to do something else? Such as getting to know your spouse, children or friends better. What if you simply want to make music?&lt;p&gt;I would say, then do that instead of learning math!&lt;p&gt;All this blog post highlights is that you should have a strong and clear learning goal, because if you’re learning Mandarin because it might seem useful on vacation to China, you might be spending your time inefficiently.&lt;p&gt;The idea of teaching children math as a language from day one is an interesting concept though. But even that still comes down to: start giving your kids amazing skills that you think will give them a fulfilling and good life from day one. Well yea, of course.</text></item></parent_chain><comment><author>dheera</author><text>I disagree with this machine-like optimization of human life. We are not machines running OSes allocating time.&lt;p&gt;Learning an instrument will help your brain in math. Learning any form of mindfulness will make you think more clearly and work efficiently. Learning languages will help you understand people and build connections and develop your brain in general.</text></comment>
<story><title>English speakers should learn math instead of a second language</title><url>https://leosstemhacks.wordpress.com/2019/06/13/learn-math-not-mandarin/</url></story><parent_chain><item><author>mettamage</author><text>You want to learn Mandarin to talk to people who cannot speak the languages you know, or because you’re interested in Chinese culture&amp;#x2F;history.&lt;p&gt;You learn math because you want to be able to quantify scientific questions, or because you want to dig deep into quantitative logic for its own sake.&lt;p&gt;But what if you want to do something else? Such as getting to know your spouse, children or friends better. What if you simply want to make music?&lt;p&gt;I would say, then do that instead of learning math!&lt;p&gt;All this blog post highlights is that you should have a strong and clear learning goal, because if you’re learning Mandarin because it might seem useful on vacation to China, you might be spending your time inefficiently.&lt;p&gt;The idea of teaching children math as a language from day one is an interesting concept though. But even that still comes down to: start giving your kids amazing skills that you think will give them a fulfilling and good life from day one. Well yea, of course.</text></item></parent_chain><comment><author>jm__87</author><text>&lt;i&gt;All this blog post highlights is that you should have a strong and clear learning goal, because if you’re learning Mandarin because it might seem useful on vacation to China, you might be spending your time inefficiently.&lt;/i&gt;&lt;p&gt;I&amp;#x27;m not sure if you&amp;#x27;re saying you agree with this, but I certainly do not. What if you just wanted to learn a language because you find learning a new language enjoyable? I&amp;#x27;ve spent the past year learning another language with absolutely no end goal in mind of what I would do with it - I just find it to be a fun challenge. It&amp;#x27;s just a hobby.</text></comment>