OT: Sci-fi (was RE: Ultra-portable terminals)

[John Esak]

>
> But, how many can name the crew of the 2nd lunar landing mission?
>
>     http://www.apolloarchive.com/apg_thumbnail.php?imageID=S69-38852

Aw, c'mon... let's take it to the *really* ridiculous... How many can name
who invented the TV?

I'll bet none.

As far as all that goes... "in  my day"  He says, putting on that old tired
voice...  We used to be taught who invented this and that. I will bet that
*every* single person above the age of 40 on this list can name the inventor
of the cotton gin.  Too strange, huh?  (by the way, I actually remember in
what year, too. Maybe we just had better teachers?  Less drugs?  More
discipline and respect in the classroom? Parents who cared that we learned?

Truly, though, content is everything and the window is changing so
rapidly.Obviously, it is no longer "important" who invented the cotton
gin... but, what is the answer to why no one knows who invented the TV? Why
do very few or no people know who invented the laser? (Okay, I'll even take
the maser.) Why are we not teaching basic computer skills, and programming
to kids immediately after they learn how to read? Why are we not teaching
foreign languages at earlier ages... and I don't mean just counting to 10.
For that matter, why aren't we teaching basic math itself. I will bet that
there is no 8th grader in the country who can manually figure out the square
root of 15,237. Hell, I'm almost tempted to bet there isn't one who can
manually divide 15,237 by 62. :-(