Comments on: The Death of the Talent Fairy: Why I’m Learning Calculus http://evangelicaloutpost.com/archives/2009/11/the-death-of-the-talent-fairy-why-im-learning-calculus.html reflections on culture, politics, and religion from an evangelical worldview Fri, 19 Mar 2010 07:26:22 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Wry Mouthhttp://evangelicaloutpost.com/archives/2009/11/the-death-of-the-talent-fairy-why-im-learning-calculus.html/comment-page-1#comment-101754 Wry Mouth Wed, 06 Jan 2010 05:08:34 +0000 http://evangelicaloutpost.com/?p=4081#comment-101754 Math teacher here, coming over from Infinite Monkeys blog.Calculus, done properly (as I try to do) is really very much easier than the "kitchen sink" courses like Algebra 2 and precalculus. Especially if one studies the thinking behind the math -- the philosophy of it -- more than the actual calculations-by-hand stuff.It becomes a "CSI" or forensic exercise in indirect evidence, and can be riveting for high school students. One of the fundamental theorems can be boiled down very nicely into a thought problem:If a friend of yours drives from San Diego to Los Angeles, and tells you he averaged 55 mph, can you *guarantee* that, at some point in the journey, he was going *exactly* 55 mph?Enjoy the ride! I certainly loved my course on Milton! ;o/ Math teacher here, coming over from Infinite Monkeys blog.

Calculus, done properly (as I try to do) is really very much easier than the “kitchen sink” courses like Algebra 2 and precalculus. Especially if one studies the thinking behind the math — the philosophy of it — more than the actual calculations-by-hand stuff.

It becomes a “CSI” or forensic exercise in indirect evidence, and can be riveting for high school students. One of the fundamental theorems can be boiled down very nicely into a thought problem:

If a friend of yours drives from San Diego to Los Angeles, and tells you he averaged 55 mph, can you *guarantee* that, at some point in the journey, he was going *exactly* 55 mph?

Enjoy the ride! I certainly loved my course on Milton! ;o/

]]> By: Hayden Butlerhttp://evangelicaloutpost.com/archives/2009/11/the-death-of-the-talent-fairy-why-im-learning-calculus.html/comment-page-1#comment-101569 Hayden Butler Sun, 22 Nov 2009 07:40:19 +0000 http://evangelicaloutpost.com/?p=4081#comment-101569 I am talking mostly about intellectual exercise in this post, and have not thought through the sentimental and physical aspects of this theory. All I am saying here is that if Newman is correct, then the quality of our perception of truth will be heavily impacted by the quality of this diversification of knowledge accessed through the various sciences. I am talking mostly about intellectual exercise in this post, and have not thought through the sentimental and physical aspects of this theory. All I am saying here is that if Newman is correct, then the quality of our perception of truth will be heavily impacted by the quality of this diversification of knowledge accessed through the various sciences.

]]> By: Elizabeth Bushhttp://evangelicaloutpost.com/archives/2009/11/the-death-of-the-talent-fairy-why-im-learning-calculus.html/comment-page-1#comment-101568 Elizabeth Bush Sun, 22 Nov 2009 03:36:53 +0000 http://evangelicaloutpost.com/?p=4081#comment-101568 Thank you for sharing this Hayden. I definitely agree, that most people lean towards their area of skill or talent to the extent of causing them to be imbalanced. If we are striving to be well-balanced souls, this would probably require not just balancing the intellectual, emotional, and physical, but balancing all types of physical, emotional, and intellectual exercises, yes? Thank you for sharing this Hayden. I definitely agree, that most people lean towards their area of skill or talent to the extent of causing them to be imbalanced. If we are striving to be well-balanced souls, this would probably require not just balancing the intellectual, emotional, and physical, but balancing all types of physical, emotional, and intellectual exercises, yes?

]]> By: Jason Pettushttp://evangelicaloutpost.com/archives/2009/11/the-death-of-the-talent-fairy-why-im-learning-calculus.html/comment-page-1#comment-101567 Jason Pettus Sat, 21 Nov 2009 14:02:54 +0000 http://evangelicaloutpost.com/?p=4081#comment-101567 I did my doctoral thesis on John Frame's tri-perspectivalism applied to leadership. I found that only Jesus was the perfect prophet, priest and king and that all others seem to be good at doing one, decent at another and weak in the third. I agree with what you are saying and believe that leaders need to pursue all functions of leadership. A prophet weak in pastoral care (priestly function) would be a better prophet and overall leader by studying and advancing in care for people. All three perspectives are of Christ and are vital and will encourage stronger leadership as they are all three applied and apprehended I did my doctoral thesis on John Frame’s tri-perspectivalism applied to leadership. I found that only Jesus was the perfect prophet, priest and king and that all others seem to be good at doing one, decent at another and weak in the third. I agree with what you are saying and believe that leaders need to pursue all functions of leadership. A prophet weak in pastoral care (priestly function) would be a better prophet and overall leader by studying and advancing in care for people. All three perspectives are of Christ and are vital and will encourage stronger leadership as they are all three applied and apprehended

]]> By: Sean Pattersonhttp://evangelicaloutpost.com/archives/2009/11/the-death-of-the-talent-fairy-why-im-learning-calculus.html/comment-page-1#comment-101565 Sean Patterson Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:51:29 +0000 http://evangelicaloutpost.com/?p=4081#comment-101565 Well said Hayden,I received my Computer Engineering/Computer Science degree with a lot of philosophy/theology reading under my belt. To some degree I feel more "amateur" than most folks in both lines of thought (that and it makes my brain hurt a lot 8^D), but in the bigger picture I think my experience is richer for having the two aspects working together in my day to day life. Well said Hayden,

I received my Computer Engineering/Computer Science degree with a lot of philosophy/theology reading under my belt. To some degree I feel more “amateur” than most folks in both lines of thought (that and it makes my brain hurt a lot 8^D), but in the bigger picture I think my experience is richer for having the two aspects working together in my day to day life.

]]>