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171 points · 89 comments · latexr

  1. randomgermanguy · · focus · HN ↗
    Very strange article.

    I have indeed forgotten how to do long-division, or how to multiply 3-digits numbers in my head. I also forget things without writing them down in a calendar.

    How are these bad things ? We have tools for a reason

    1. bariumbitmap · · focus · HN ↗
      The context of Jensen Huang's comments and Tante's commentary is in teaching children the multiplication table, long division, and square roots. As adults we might use a calculator to multiply or divide large numbers to high precision but we understand what we're doing because of practicing easier arithmetic by hand.

      > How are these bad things ? We have tools for a reason

      The bad thing is not bothering to learn basic arithmetic. If kids don't learn that they won't understand what the tools are doing.

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