Hence the conclusion that people who have difficulties in maths are of no interest to people who are good at maths. Except perhaps financially.
I wrote and I continue to write on various subjects, my cancer, what today's society inspires in me on a day-to-day basis and... my disastrous relationship with maths. I've had a lot of readers and a lot of feedback on my illness, from friends, patients, carers, helpers, in short, opinions from professionals, patients and their families, which are generally quite positive. On my existential cogitations, I always get a lot of comments, reactions and sometimes mini-debates, which are always interesting.
Check Maths
On Traumathized, first observation: these pages are much less popular than others (I guess failing at maths must seem less sexy). Secondly, I received feedback almost exclusively from people who, like me, struggled with maths during their schooling. They compare, share their experiences and confirm that they understand. But on the “professional” side (maths teachers, maths enthusiasts), I know that I had readers, since even one of them quickly informed me that R it was the set of real numbers and not rational. I have not changed this passage for the sake of authenticity and because I don't give a damn about which category R is the name. In any case, it's pretty much the only feedback from “good at math” that I've had, except for those who offered to sign me up for their online courses. IDGAF guys!
What can we conclude from this? That maths is not an interesting subject for people? That nobody is interested in maths difficulties, neither teachers, engineers, researchers nor maths students? That they look at it through their rigid scientific glasses? Because I would like to know, for example, if I am the only one who did not understand that letters in literal calculation represent numbers. So far, I have got the impression that the answer is yes. Perhaps it seems so absurd to them that they do not believe it. That they don't believe me. But am I the only one who experienced the transition to 8th grade as a return from a long illness? In short, I am extremely surprised by this total lack of reaction from those I refer to as “insiders” at the beginning of this section. Where are they when we need them?
I feel like nothing has changed and that being on the right side of the line leads to a total lack of understanding of what can happen on the other side, among those who are bad at maths. To extrapolate, I would say that the bad ones are the ones who spend the most time thinking about maths. The others are thinking within the world of maths, without being able to imagine themselves in the other person's shoes, outside the circle. Even people I am quite close to, who I have contacted again to get their opinion, have never replied to me about Traumathized. I don't know what to make of it: am I not writing eloquently enough? Don't they have an opinion? Don't they understand what I'm saying? Don't give a damn?
Ujustneed2
Otherwise, I continue to check the internet to see what is being said and done, and I constantly read things like:
“Any average brain being capable of understanding middle school/high school math, 'Ujustneed2' work, 'Ujustneed2' learn theorems or 'Ujustneed2' reread the lessons, the exercise answers, to do the exercises again at home and see where one went wrong.
But what world do these people live in? How many hours do they have in a day? Sixty? And once again: how can you do the exercises again when you don't understand anything in the instructions? “Ujustneed2” is a bit like Yakafaukon (french invented word), it comes up with a simplified solution to complex problems.
“Ujustneed2” avoids any deeper reflection and allows you to get back to your activities with a good conscience.
And then, as described previously, there are always the self-proclaimed psychics at the bar: “Don't be afraid!”, “Dare to ask questions”, “Your child suffers from (pick one) HPI, DAMP, DCD syndrom, etc.”, “So-and-so had a hard time dealing with the loss of his twin brother, so he confuses 1 and 2”. When they don't just deny your existence, which doesn't suit them: “Bad at maths? There's no such thing!”. Come on... So I don't exist, nor do my fellow human beings... For these people... I see that nothing is changing: everything and anything goes, as long as we don't question how maths is taught, its overpowering place in society, the dark side of the farce. Sadly.
The conclusion seems quite obvious to me: as long as those on the inside are not REALLY interested in what has blocked others on the outside, nothing will change... Period
