Ideas
From Huben's Wiki
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== Why are humans so surprisingly good at math, given that there was no evolutionary selection for it? == | == Why are humans so surprisingly good at math, given that there was no evolutionary selection for it? == | ||
Our math ability evolved without the tools of writing, just like our physical ability evolved without modern tools. We don't marvel that we can move mountains with modern tools assisting us, but we do marvel that we can compute with the help of writing? | Our math ability evolved without the tools of writing, just like our physical ability evolved without modern tools. We don't marvel that we can move mountains with modern tools assisting us, but we do marvel that we can compute with the help of writing? | ||
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| + | == Science is not about truth: it is about honesty. == | ||
| + | Science is not about truth, the way philosophy and religion often claim to be. Instead it is about honesty: the humble claim that the evidence and reasoning can be confirmed by anyone through observation and experiment and supports a preferred model better than the other models. That's why scientific notation has basic ideas such as significant figures, and statistics has confidence intervals. Opponents of science often accuse scientists of pride, but it is actually about being humble enough to not lie. (Beware of different meanings of truth here.) | ||
== Homicide through the market. == | == Homicide through the market. == | ||
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* Ability to present both formula and results of a cell simultaneously (a feature missing in most spreadsheets.) | * Ability to present both formula and results of a cell simultaneously (a feature missing in most spreadsheets.) | ||
* Ability to graphically organize calculations outside of the constraints of rectangular arrays of cells. | * Ability to graphically organize calculations outside of the constraints of rectangular arrays of cells. | ||
| + | * Create groups of cells (maybe ranges) that all use the same calculation and/or formats, without copying the formula for the calculation or formats to each cell. | ||
* Ability to extend the list of functions beyond those of a spreadsheet. | * Ability to extend the list of functions beyond those of a spreadsheet. | ||
* Ability to preserve the view of the results of calculations or graphing for checking by teachers. | * Ability to preserve the view of the results of calculations or graphing for checking by teachers. | ||
