The New, New Math

[hoppes-no9]

Things change. Like slide-rules, typewriters, word processors, record players, things change. And people change to best use the technology. Nowadays I can't imagine anyone buying many encyclopedias... or dictionaries, etc. Most folks use computers. If the ability to count back change was a significant value to the majority of customers, businesses would address it, just like they've addressed childcare issues by putting changing stations in women's and men's rooms. A cashier is primarily tasked with ringing up purchases and handling the payment. Taking th e time to count out change, taking time to calculate the amount of change due, etc. does not increase their efficiency.

100% agreement.

Now, that's not to say one shouldn't APPRECIATE good old-fashioned nontechnology. I'm rather fond of mechanical watches, fountain pens, hand-made telescopes, my grandfather's WWII-era Atlas lathe, etc. etc.

Luddites for the win!!

 

[Trooperdan]

I have two. One was used by my father at Georgia Tech in the 40's and one was used my me in the 60's.

Now I just use spreadsheets.

Joe, you were a "Techie"? Or North Ave Trade School as we called it in 1960! Still have my rat cap around here somewhere and my slide rule is still used by my aerospace engineer brother (who went to FLA State). Ever eat at the Pickwick resturant where there was a barrel of axe handles by the door for the customers to "repel borders?

 

[wbraswell]

It really doesn't matter what decade it is, your local burger doodle is not where you are going to find many candidates for Harvard. Where do you expect our space cadets to work? The Pentagon? Uhhhh, maybe.......

 

[DeadAye]

It really doesn't matter what decade it is, your local burger doodle is not where you are going to find many candidates for Harvard. Where do you expect our space cadets to work? The Pentagon? Uhhhh, maybe.......

I hear there are openings in The Secret Service -