Adamsc wrote:
On Thu, 31 Oct 1996 09:16:26 -0800, Hal Finney wrote:
properties than regular logarithms, but I thought this bit of history would spark some memories in old-timers and give a new perspective for younger people.
[snip]
The same thing goes on with SATs and especially SAT-IIs. Some higher-end calculators, esp. HPs, have plugin cartridges which automate much of the basic work in chemistry, physics, etc. I never saw anyone who used such things even get asked about it. Do we even need social engineering with people this stupid?
Technology has a base, much like a pyramid. When you add enough layers, you can't find very many people who can traverse top to bottom and understand all of what's in between. I consider it a miracle when a student has the quality of consciousness to buck the trend and get themself a quality instrument (such as an HP-48SX/GX), since once they do that, they might be encouraged to explore further.