• explodicle@sh.itjust.works
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    10 days ago

    The problem with memorizing 50 capitals (or anything else useless) is opportunity cost. They could be learning useful things instead.

    I think we agree that learning things just for capitalism is bad, but possibly disagree about whether schools are currently doing that by teaching cursive. Anecdotally, I was told that I would need it for work.

      • explodicle@sh.itjust.works
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        9 days ago

        Any information that’s useful whatsoever? Maybe I’m not understanding your question.

        I’d love it if everyone could label a supply and demand diagram, and that’s about as hard as memorizing 50 capitals.

        • pyre@lemmy.world
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          9 days ago

          what I’m asking is how you determine what’s useful and what isn’t. unsurprisingly seems to come back to getting a good capitalist boy again.

            • pyre@lemmy.world
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              9 days ago

              how? it’s the most basic thing about economy. maybe it’s because we don’t have 50 states over here but we learned it. still capitalism.

              • explodicle@sh.itjust.works
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                9 days ago

                Because an economy will still exist after capitalism, and understanding economic theory (like surplus value) is helpful in overthrowing capitalism.

                • pyre@lemmy.world
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                  9 days ago

                  I disagree. that’s like saying the average serf needs to understand lordship to overthrow the king. no they just need to be fed up. the understanding of the intricacies of the new government is the job of scholars, not the serfs.

                  • explodicle@sh.itjust.works
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                    9 days ago

                    If they’re fed up and don’t know how they’re getting robbed, then they’ll elect a fascist they think is “good for the economy”. We’re not just trying to destroy something bad - we’re trying to build something better.

        • pyre@lemmy.world
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          9 days ago

          none of these are specifics, they’re topics. but I didn’t ask for that anyway. i said what’s supposed to specifically replace the 50 capitals. none of these qualify. also “I wish this was taught” isn’t really an argument for something else not to be taught. why not replace something else? what is going to determine the cut?

          most of this list is about how things should be taught, by the way. I agree that learning problem solving skills, curiosity and thirst for knowledge and know-how to obtain knowledge is better than learning facts. this doesn’t explain the disdain for basic knowledge about your country, the solar system or the fucking multiplication table.