My god, it's like you're describing my college education. Actually, just today my fluids professor said "You won't be using many numerical values in this class. It'll all be memorizing those lovely equations." and ten minutes later went on to give an example about industry that pointed out that memorizing equations is pointless.
What's wrong with algebra? It's one of the easiest subjects to learn! It's simple, intuitive, and logical. It can be very useful in a variety of disciplines, not just architecture. You have a problem? Express it as an equation and a computer can solve it! I may be slightly biased, as I am a nerd, but nowhere near the extent that you are! You should really be posting comics poking fun at Art and P.E.
Dude, this strip is done AS A JOKE. I'm a nerd too, and I hate algebra, because it is useless in the fields i intend to go into. What disciplines crossed your mind as needing algebra? Anyway, again, the strip is a JOKE.
My 7th grader is already doing algebraic equations. I have to go on the internet to find how to do some of the things she asks about. It's been a long time for me since I've done this stuff.
What about helping your daughter??? Oh wait – I was the smart one… 😉 Also – dang some of these people are really ripping on today's comic eh?! Seriously?? It's a comic people… Have a sense of humor! Geesh…
I could live with equations being rammed into students heads as long as everything else they were learning was actually about educating students and not for some test at the end of the year. Upload then download and then forget.
It's not about the algebra…it's about teaching kids reasoning skills and how to problem solve. I've never needed to build a tool box out of sheet metal, or know who wrote Ethan Frome, or remember what exactly the Treaty of Versailles said either. It's less about the content and more about the skills one acquires and practices while learning the content.
With that said, I really enjoy reading your comic each day! I <3 Bug!
I know math is supposed to be all about logic and teaching us quicker ways to determine a solution, but why don't they just SAY that? Why don't they do actual examples?
its not the material the schools are forcing the kids to learn, its how to learn the material. kids nowadays need to be able to adapt very quickly and work in teams frequently. schools use the material as a tool to teach students these abilities.
I enjoyed the comic, it expressed ideas I'm sure every single person has thought of before at least once in their life while doing math or any other school work.
Really, algebra isn't that bad, you just need patience. Also, if that kid was going to be an architect, he would need to know geometry. Don't think that I disliked today's strip though.
The whole academic-crap thing annoys me. I'm good at academic stuff, but I don't like it; and when I was growing up in England, there was a system for other kids, where from 14 (though they still had to study SOME math and whatnot) they could go out to do things like farming and woodwork to train, then at sixteen they'd mostly leave school and go on into apprenticeships.
Now, they want to (or are, or have? I'm not sure) raise the school-leaving age from sixteen to eighteen, because they have some perception of academic standards being the world's benchmark — so we'll end up with a bunch of farmers, carpenters and plumbers who're worse at their jobs, and in exchange, they STILL won't be able to do math. So how in the hell does THAT help anyone? Gah…
omigosh so true. I still wish to this day that math class was, "how to better keep track of finances and not drown in debt when you grow up" instead of exponential effing equations.
Well math is still useful just think of it as a basis of solving problems with utter precision when thinking of a new way to defend your self from zombie attack! How else could you engineer a portable linear cannon when you start running out of shot gun shells? Ab-lib the whole design? Good luck on its reliability if it even works at all! MUAHHAHAHAHHAHAHA!!!!
Oh well, at least you need a bunch of this stuff in video game programming for either algorithm analyzing and doing pretty much anything that involves the graphics engine at all. Heck you need math in general for programming at all.
Not as useless as English class. All that happens there is writing a ton of essays about subjects you don't care about and being told your SUBJECTIVE analisys of something is incorrect because the teacher disagrees.
I’ve decided you’re my best friend now. I am terrible at math, simply wretched, but great at things like history and English. And yet, colleges don’t like to accept you if you’re not all around perfect. Never mind that I’ll never use polynomials or quadratics after college; if I’m not good at them I fail at life apparently.
Coming to the discussion late here to point out <a> by Conrad Wolfram (hopefully I didn't screw up that HTML), which is all about how bass-ackwards our current method of teaching math is, and is germane to the discussion here.
Algebra is a very basic field of math. Any field that uses math AT ALL will require algebra. I use algebra, geometry and calculus all the time in game design, and I'm sure mechanical engineers and such couldn't do their job without it.
I just want to say, as a Mechanical Engineering student who is about to graduate, that I wouldn't be able to do even half the things I'm doing now were it not for Algebra.
I used calculus the other day. I was making a video. I spent the rest of the day looking over my shoulder, waiting for the moment someone was going to ask me to diagram a sentence. Or write something in cursive.
Yes! Fianally found something that sums up my thoughts on algebra! I hate algebra witha passion, and just cause im bad at algebra doesnt mean im bad at other things, im great at english, history, and art. So I was a bit annoyed to see some people say art is the real usless subject. Man, i knew the math nerds would stick up for algebra! Oh well, it just about whatever suits your inclination.
I asked my parents for help in math when I was in grade 8, they attempted to help me…..and then at school my teacher told me I should have asked my parents to help me if I did not understand the work…….
Harsh
My god, it's like you're describing my college education. Actually, just today my fluids professor said "You won't be using many numerical values in this class. It'll all be memorizing those lovely equations." and ten minutes later went on to give an example about industry that pointed out that memorizing equations is pointless.
…I think I love you.
Just sayin'.
Math Rocks!
aaahahahaa…as an architect, i barely used any algebra in my designs~!!!
yay a fellow QC fan mandy! Also whats better is forcing ppl to learn calculus….
Haha, good to hear I'm not the only one who likes both of these comics! Although today's QC has me worried!!
i think it will all blow over.
I dunno, Dora seemed serious. It's good we have Bug to lighten things up.
OMG another one ^_^
i feel bad for marten. his girl doesnt like toto and now hes kicked out of the bedroom
QC needs more indie references and fewer butt-jokes! At least, that's my opinion..
What a horrible world indeed.
I would be out of a job as a tutor!
What's wrong with algebra? It's one of the easiest subjects to learn! It's simple, intuitive, and logical. It can be very useful in a variety of disciplines, not just architecture. You have a problem? Express it as an equation and a computer can solve it! I may be slightly biased, as I am a nerd, but nowhere near the extent that you are! You should really be posting comics poking fun at Art and P.E.
Dude, this strip is done AS A JOKE. I'm a nerd too, and I hate algebra, because it is useless in the fields i intend to go into. What disciplines crossed your mind as needing algebra? Anyway, again, the strip is a JOKE.
Why would he post a comic making fun of art? He's an ARTIST.
You know, I actually use algebra, geometry and calculus in my work 🙁
are you a math teacher?
I actually use it in my daily life!
I'd better go to a doctor and figure out what the hell is wrong with me!
but yeah, fuck equations.
I can relate to the third panel. 🙂
I can't believe you're actually trashing math education. The last thing we need is less of it. Plus, algebra is pretty fun.
My 7th grader is already doing algebraic equations. I have to go on the internet to find how to do some of the things she asks about. It's been a long time for me since I've done this stuff.
When I went back to school I'd come home late after class and help my son with algebra homework – it was helaaard on both of us
What about helping your daughter??? Oh wait – I was the smart one… 😉 Also – dang some of these people are really ripping on today's comic eh?! Seriously?? It's a comic people… Have a sense of humor! Geesh…
Oh, man, I hate algebra; I don't think I ever really understood it. Thank you for reassuring me that I'm not stupid for not grasping it.
panel 2! math education aside, I really would enjoy knowing a damn thing about engines so i wasn't at the mercy of mechanics.
Okay, you're officially my hero now. 🙂
I love math but I love Bug more. Math < Bug. ;op
..And may I add that I'm amazed at how good the expressions are on those monochrome, squarefaced bugs of yours? Algebra is nothing compared to bugs!
I could live with equations being rammed into students heads as long as everything else they were learning was actually about educating students and not for some test at the end of the year. Upload then download and then forget.
Why i can't tell you how often i use algebra in my every day life… Oh wait, yes i can. NOT AT ALL.
Now, a class teaching us how to get used to bitter disappointment, THAT wold have been helpful!
It's not about the algebra…it's about teaching kids reasoning skills and how to problem solve. I've never needed to build a tool box out of sheet metal, or know who wrote Ethan Frome, or remember what exactly the Treaty of Versailles said either. It's less about the content and more about the skills one acquires and practices while learning the content.
With that said, I really enjoy reading your comic each day! I <3 Bug!
There is nothing better then this comic… Ever…
Algebra is actually quite useful in day to day life. Have a math problem with finances? Setup an equation and solve for x!
I know math is supposed to be all about logic and teaching us quicker ways to determine a solution, but why don't they just SAY that? Why don't they do actual examples?
Well, my school does anyway. And I love it.
its not the material the schools are forcing the kids to learn, its how to learn the material. kids nowadays need to be able to adapt very quickly and work in teams frequently. schools use the material as a tool to teach students these abilities.
The eternal battle between Man and Algebra.
I enjoyed the comic, it expressed ideas I'm sure every single person has thought of before at least once in their life while doing math or any other school work.
Third panel… it's funny 'cause it's true
Algebra makes me want to punch baby seals. Thank you for this comic.
Really, algebra isn't that bad, you just need patience. Also, if that kid was going to be an architect, he would need to know geometry. Don't think that I disliked today's strip though.
I remember back in the day when teaching life skills was the parent's job.
I've been bringing this up to my friends a lot recently. Its like you read my mind. You're f*cking awesome
i was AMAZING at math. . . then they threw the alphabet in
Dear Adam,
The more of your comics I comment on, the more I find that it takes me longer to scroll to the bottom to find the comment box.
Congratulations on becoming a popular kid! =)
Thanks for the daily laughs,
Hannah
The whole academic-crap thing annoys me. I'm good at academic stuff, but I don't like it; and when I was growing up in England, there was a system for other kids, where from 14 (though they still had to study SOME math and whatnot) they could go out to do things like farming and woodwork to train, then at sixteen they'd mostly leave school and go on into apprenticeships.
Now, they want to (or are, or have? I'm not sure) raise the school-leaving age from sixteen to eighteen, because they have some perception of academic standards being the world's benchmark — so we'll end up with a bunch of farmers, carpenters and plumbers who're worse at their jobs, and in exchange, they STILL won't be able to do math. So how in the hell does THAT help anyone? Gah…
I like that in the world without Algebra Kid Bug's dad is cool Bug, but in evil world with algebra his dad is evil Nerd Bug. Panel 3 was hilarious.
omigosh so true. I still wish to this day that math class was, "how to better keep track of finances and not drown in debt when you grow up" instead of exponential effing equations.
Aww… but without the exponential equations we wouldn't be able to tell just how screwed we are by our debt! 🙂
Freaking awesome.
Well math is still useful just think of it as a basis of solving problems with utter precision when thinking of a new way to defend your self from zombie attack! How else could you engineer a portable linear cannon when you start running out of shot gun shells? Ab-lib the whole design? Good luck on its reliability if it even works at all! MUAHHAHAHAHHAHAHA!!!!
Once I run out of shot gun shells I would then switch to the chainsaw which is attached to my other hand.
… or that…
Oh well, at least you need a bunch of this stuff in video game programming for either algorithm analyzing and doing pretty much anything that involves the graphics engine at all. Heck you need math in general for programming at all.
Not as useless as English class. All that happens there is writing a ton of essays about subjects you don't care about and being told your SUBJECTIVE analisys of something is incorrect because the teacher disagrees.
I’ve decided you’re my best friend now. I am terrible at math, simply wretched, but great at things like history and English. And yet, colleges don’t like to accept you if you’re not all around perfect. Never mind that I’ll never use polynomials or quadratics after college; if I’m not good at them I fail at life apparently.
Coming to the discussion late here to point out <a> by Conrad Wolfram (hopefully I didn't screw up that HTML), which is all about how bass-ackwards our current method of teaching math is, and is germane to the discussion here.
Yup, totally screwed up the HTML. Alright, we're doin' it raw! A TED Talk by Conrad Wolfram: http://www.ted.com/talks/conrad_wolfram_teaching_…
Algebra is a very basic field of math. Any field that uses math AT ALL will require algebra. I use algebra, geometry and calculus all the time in game design, and I'm sure mechanical engineers and such couldn't do their job without it.
I just want to say, as a Mechanical Engineering student who is about to graduate, that I wouldn't be able to do even half the things I'm doing now were it not for Algebra.
The other half is thanks to Wikipedia <.<
You have completely nailed my 4th period math class. Well done!
Algebra is useful, Art isn't.
Hey now… if it weren't for art, you wouldn't be reading the Bug comic strip. Comics take art skills you know!
Sorry, you seem to have switched your words around. Art is, algebra isn't. At least for, oh, everyone I've ever known?
I used calculus the other day. I was making a video. I spent the rest of the day looking over my shoulder, waiting for the moment someone was going to ask me to diagram a sentence. Or write something in cursive.
Yes! Fianally found something that sums up my thoughts on algebra! I hate algebra witha passion, and just cause im bad at algebra doesnt mean im bad at other things, im great at english, history, and art. So I was a bit annoyed to see some people say art is the real usless subject. Man, i knew the math nerds would stick up for algebra! Oh well, it just about whatever suits your inclination.
I asked my parents for help in math when I was in grade 8, they attempted to help me…..and then at school my teacher told me I should have asked my parents to help me if I did not understand the work…….
From then on I just figured it out for myself. 🙂
Greatest comic strip EVER!!!!!!!!!