The Outside Link Thread (All Your GAF, OA, SA, YouTube, etc. Links Go In Here!)

[Rman]

It's not even a particularly complicated situation to explain fairly.  I mean, the elements at play are very complicated when it comes to addressing them and solving the problem, but they are not difficult to understand.  If there is one thing that shows that the US is a Christian Nation, it's not that the founding fathers came here for religion, or anything like that; it's because Islam is absolutely absent from any state-mandated education.  You can go from k to 12 in public schools not even knowing that Islam is comparable in membership, size, and importance in world history, to Christianity.  Why is it so absent from state-mandated education?

Woooah wtf?

I learned more about Islam than all other religions combined in my history classes.  Christianity and Jesus had like the first line of one paragraph. Meanwhile most of my 7th grade history was devoted to Islam, Muhammad and his influence on the world at the time. I remember we watched a movie about Muhammad, talked about the Qur'an and even had an ethnic potluck where the kids had to bring some traditional islamic dishes. It was a total cultural induction.

Yeah, sadly, you are the exception.  You grew up in CA, though (right?), where it is likely less possible to go through the public educational system without any sort of diversification.  Fact is that the stuff you learned isn't mandatory by US public schooling standards. . .which are a total joke.

I agree, TVC.

I think the problem is not so much the subject matter but the relevancy of what it taught in schools today.  As you mentioned, most curriculum planners totally ignore bodies of knowledge which are increasingly important.

Also, public education fails in teaching life skills, such as networking, personal finance, relational and personal productivity skills, which are totally ignored.  Another concern of mine, and excuse my language, is the pussification of public schools.  Competition is shunned.  Remember spelling and math bees, most probably don't as they are basically relics.  Chemistry sets are no longer sold in Radio Shack as well because we fear kids might blow themselves up.  And learning from traditional methods, such as the lecture model, do not work everyone.  Creativity and individually is also shunned.

The following talk was presented at the TED conference and the presenter shares many of the views I have concerning this subject.

http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/view/id/66

[Himu]

Lectures. I love them to death and I swear I'm seeing less and less of them.

[TVC15]

I'd like to have a good conversation about the problems with American education, although finding a place to have the discussion would be difficult.  If I tried to start it at GAF, a bunch of idiots saying STOP HATIN ON AMERICA would immediately pop up, and from there it would be derailed.

I'm not trying to imply that other places in the world have better systems of education.  I don't know anything about systems in other parts of the world, so I kind of have to exclude them from the discussion.  I grew up in the American system and I have looked into it with some degree of depth, so I am well aware of its big shortcomings.  I am in no way saying that the educations in europe or the middle east are superior; I am saying that for a country that likes to posture so much about being the best in the world at many things, we lack severely in significant ways.  Like Whitney said, I believe the children are the future. . .it's just a shame that we don't care about educating them well.

[Beezy]

If I tried to start it at GAF, a bunch of idiots saying STOP HATIN ON AMERICA would immediately pop up, and from there it would be derailed.

Ban warning (maybe until this year is over?) in the first post will prevent this.

[Phoenix Dark]

I'm more concerned about American children being left in the dirt in science and maths compared to the rest of the world. But an understanding of history is extremely valuable to a person as they grow older. It may fell important when you're in 10th grade, but once you enter the real world having even a basic understanding of certain principles will be of great advantage.

[TVC15]

I think the science curriculum isn't where it should be.  Maths, they are closer to getting right, but I have to admit that I am a bit out of touch on that subject, because 1) Math isn't one of my interests, so I don't pay it as much attention, and 2) My experience with math in my public school was a fairly decent one, though I bet I was an exception.

In the public school where I completed high school, students could get whatever math education they wanted, post 9th grade.  If you wanted a heavy math curriculum, you could get it.  I had 2 calc classes in high school, but at the same time, I could have finished school only going as high as either geometry.

But yeah, I'd bet this is a case of me having a good opportunity.

[Phoenix Dark]

Aren't you a programmer? I thought you guys had to be math smart, which is why I didn't pursue it lol. I was more interested in political science and history as a kid, and I'm still considering law school after I'm done with my business degree shit

[TVC15]

No, I'm not a programmer. 

I am decently good at math, but I couldn't do it for a living.  I just find it uninteresting, and I think the more "interesting" maths take too much effort, and are thus soul sucking.  Most of my higher math skills have probably atrophied into uselessness by now.

[Powerslave]

I am always under the impression that math is at a higher level in the States than what we get here. Seriously, we're doing a bunch of easy shit like reading graphs and making a formula out of them, while I hear everyone on the net who is located in the US talk about Calculus and other Latin-named mathematica.

[TVC15]

As far as sciences go, I think US education puts the cart before the horse, trying to cram actual sciences down the throats of students before they understand logic and the scientific method at an adequate level.  I mean, curriculum dictates that students have to have so much education in earth sciences.  We can safely say that earth sciences, really, don't do anything to prepare students for the real world, however, understanding the scientific method and logic are skills that can be put to use every day, and an understanding of them would increase the speed at which sciences can be picked up.  You can't really teach science without a solid base in those two subjects, which basically makes the science you learn in high school next to useless.  They are just lists of facts, not indicative of any gained knowledge.

[Candyflip]

I am always under the impression that math is at a higher level in the States than what we get here. Seriously, we're doing a bunch of easy shit like reading graphs and making a formula out of them, while I hear everyone on the net who is located in the US talk about Calculus and other Latin-named mathematica.

What, for high school or college? I always felt like the math standard for HS was absurdly low considering how high the ceiling is.

[Smooth Groove]

I am always under the impression that math is at a higher level in the States than what we get here. Seriously, we're doing a bunch of easy shit like reading graphs and making a formula out of them, while I hear everyone on the net who is located in the US talk about Calculus and other Latin-named mathematica.

High school math teachers in the US don't seem to be very good.  I was better than most of the teachers by the time I was in 9th grade.  College is completely different though.  Many of the professors were like geniuses.  Also, 1/2 of the profs were foreign so maybe that's the difference. 

[TVC15]

Most of my good college math professors were from like, eastern europe.

[bluemax]

Ugh I took through Linear Algebra and Diff Equations in college and my professors were all awful. Either they had accents to heavy to comprehend or they didn't know how to fucking teach. Assholes would write 3 blackboard proofs and then not give any examples on how to actually use the shit.

So of course every fucking job interview I have is on 3D calculus. Thankfully they only ask about the most basic stuff. Although I did have one company ask me to find the equation of a plane.


Back in highschool I think you were only required 2 years of math and after that it was your own choice, but I could be wrong. I took all the way through AP Calc which is all my school had. All these California kids seemed to have way more math education. Washington public schools ftl.

[brawndolicious]

all california schools do world history in 7th grade that includes Islam around october I think.  It also included Hinduism, Buddhism, and Japanese history so I think it was about middle east and eastern history.  I didn't have the full year dedicated to it though like etiolate.

california high schools also let you choose a crapload of math courses.  you can take a 4 year curriculum that finishes with geometry or you can finish all of calculus.  you can just take 2 years of math too if you want to.

[Candyflip]

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=8670092&postcount=18

I swear I've seen about 200 similar posts from this guy. I always picture him as

[Mupepe]

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=8670092&postcount=18

I swear I've seen about 200 similar posts from this guy. I always picture him as
(Image removed from quote.)

he's in every racial thread spouting crap with no real insight.  the guy is a douche.  he calls racism at everything.

[AdmiralViscen]

Not to sound like my usual I Hate America self (even though I do), for how much attention is paid to the middle east conflict by the media, it's really tragic that the US education system is a total and complete failure at trying to explain the situation to young people.

It's not even a particularly complicated situation to explain fairly.  I mean, the elements at play are very complicated when it comes to addressing them and solving the problem, but they are not difficult to understand.  If there is one thing that shows that the US is a Christian Nation, it's not that the founding fathers came here for religion, or anything like that; it's because Islam is absolutely absent from any state-mandated education.  You can go from k to 12 in public schools not even knowing that Islam is comparable in membership, size, and importance in world history, to Christianity.  Why is it so absent from state-mandated education?  Good question.  I wish I could give you an answer that wasn't shameful and embarassing in some way.

Not only is it laughable that Islam is excluded due to its role in history, but disregarding it's influence when it comes to education and the science is absolutely stultifying.  If it wasn't for Islam, it's arguable that it would have been much longer before literacy was available to the masses.  It was only because of the public's illiteracy that the crusades were able to go on for so long unabated.

Fuck, the state isn't even required to teach about Saladin in US schools, and he is easily one of the most important figures in history.  Arguably more important than any of the Caesars; definitely more important when it comes to relevance in today's world.  Of course, I bet most Islamic schools teach perspectives of history that are just as incomplete if not more.  But I expect a bit more from the US, being what people claim is the greatest country in the world, and all.

I learned about Saladin, Islamic work on math and philosophy and history and all that shit, in grade school.

And I went to a Catholic school :p


edit: New York.

[Barry Egan]

As far as sciences go, I think US education puts the cart before the horse, trying to cram actual sciences down the throats of students before they understand logic and the scientific method at an adequate level. 

This is so on point.  And in fact, I would say that even before strengthening a child's logic and his methodology, give him a thorough explanation of the nature of dogma and metaphysics and how modern rationality is meant to serve as its antidote. Kids educated in public schools have very little comprehension of the true significance of modern enlightenment even though they are largely its products.   Of course this would never fly in public schools because it's too closely related to secularism.  Such a damned shame.

[Flannel Boy]

This thread is for me.

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=210431

* Malek: King of Kings chugs some nyQuil.

[Candyflip]

Wow, I didn't know Nyquil had acetaminophen in it. Then again, I've never chugged it. The only OTC I like to consume is that yummy cough syrup.

[brawndolicious]

I skimmed over that thread a little since I don't read gaf.  Nick probably shouldn't say cocaine isn't addictive in a thread like that.  even though it's not physically addictive, he shouldn't say it.

[Phoenix Dark]

sigh

[Candyflip]

I skimmed over that thread a little since I don't read gaf.  Nick probably shouldn't say cocaine isn't addictive in a thread like that.  even though it's not physically addictive, he shouldn't say it.

If someone is really going to base their decision to use a drug around one person's opinion on the internet then they have a problem. I'm not saying he's right or wrong, but come on. It's not like him saying that matters so much.

[y2kev]

I'm late, but it's an interesting conversation. Islam was a huge part of 9th grade history for me, and I remember my classmates complaining about the text's treatment of Christianity (I went to a Catholic school) because it treated Jesus as a historical figure dealt with in a sentence as opposed to some kind of spiritual and moral paragon (of course).

As far as math teachers go, I find they almost always suck. It's a difficult subject to teach because so many losers simply resort to, "I'll do a bunch of problems and you'll get it," but at the same time the higher you go the worst the teachers become. They don't want to teach, they want to research. They get saddled with classes as some side consequence of employment.

[brawndolicious]

I skimmed over that thread a little since I don't read gaf.  Nick probably shouldn't say cocaine isn't addictive in a thread like that.  even though it's not physically addictive, he shouldn't say it.

If someone is really going to base their decision to use a drug around one person's opinion on the internet then they have a problem. I'm not saying he's right or wrong, but come on. It's not like him saying that matters so much.

yeah but you can't really research how addictive something is unless you try it.  I've known people that had to go to rehab for marijuana, it's rare and stupid but it's not right to tell  somebody who's becoming dependent on nyquil that cocaine isn't as addictive.

[Candyflip]

I skimmed over that thread a little since I don't read gaf.  Nick probably shouldn't say cocaine isn't addictive in a thread like that.  even though it's not physically addictive, he shouldn't say it.

If someone is really going to base their decision to use a drug around one person's opinion on the internet then they have a problem. I'm not saying he's right or wrong, but come on. It's not like him saying that matters so much.

yeah but you can't really research how addictive something is unless you try it.

That's not to say empirical data doesn't carry any weight.

[brawndolicious]

That's not to say empirical data doesn't carry any weight.

I agree but since Nick apparently did do drugs, he should know you don't vaguely describe it to somebody who's starting to become dependent on Nyquil.

[zeergoth]

Am I bad for loling at this: http://www.metacafe.com/watch/938362/crispy_chef/

[bagofeyes]

Am I bad for loling at this: http://www.metacafe.com/watch/938362/crispy_chef/

w  t  f

[ferrarimanf355]

Am I bad for loling at this: http://www.metacafe.com/watch/938362/crispy_chef/

Yes.

[etiolate]

Am I bad for loling at this: http://www.metacafe.com/watch/938362/crispy_chef/

what the fuuuuuck

[Barry Egan]

What's the point of that ad?

[Phoenix Dark]

Shake on There Will Be Blood:

master shake smb (12:46:22 AM): its an ending people will talk about for decades dude
master shake smb (12:46:28 AM): you heard it here first.

master shake smb (12:49:42 AM): fuck moty
master shake smb (12:49:47 AM): we might be talking motd
master shake smb (12:49:52 AM): d being decade

master shake smb (12:50:11 AM): look around, some people are even comparing it to citizen kane already

master shake smb (12:53:40 AM): apparently the ending is played very kubrickian

master shake smb (1:40:15 AM): seriously, seeing this in the theater might be something to really brag about one day
master shake smb (1:40:36 AM): im firmly convinced this will be considered a modern classic sometime down the line

 

[TVC15]

Ask him if it was a BK sandwich, what would it be?

[Flannel Boy]

Ask him if it was a BK sandwich, what would it be?

In his stomach.

[brawndolicious]

http://www.mupepe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=174

phoenix dark asks person 43 years older to have sex with him.

[Phoenix Dark]

Video of Nas pausing his concert for the announcement of Tupac's death
http://www.dailymotion.com/Bounce2dis/video/x3le60_1996-nas-concert-footage-of-him-sto_music

  @ Esco's clothes.

I'm surprised the crowd reacted in shock; Tupac was really assaulting the east coast, but it seems like people still respected him. 

[Ichirou]

Ask him if it was a BK sandwich, what would it be?

In his stomach.

Burger experiments.

[Christopher]

how exactly did Gary Watta find that Craig's List add...I guess with the strike he has some alone time haha

[Ichirou]

Anyway, thanks to that AIM conversation I have an awesome new tag.

[The Sceneman]

OMFG Youtube of the month (was actually posted in July but whatevs, amazing)

[youtube=425,350]_DNDE1ATsck[/youtube]

[Shuri]

lol what.

I got purged from GAF because saying that the gaming journalist that did a video featuring him with a gamertag called Gayboy 3X was yellow journalism and a complete waste of time since you ARE to expect to get smashed for being gay on XBL since the average users are male teenagers. I also mentionned that it was akin to dressing like a women and going to a skinhead bar and wondering why you got harassed.

And I got somehow banned by Evilbore for 'defending homophobes'. What the hell is this shit? My best friend I grew up with  *is* gay, and I've actually linked him to the article and laughed at how fucking stupid it was.

Oh well.

[The Sceneman]

 

its easy to get purged from GAF

p.s. watch the video I posted

[bagofeyes]

heh how long?

[zeergoth]

NSFW
[youtube=425,350]6alOnuN-wCY[/youtube]

[Barry Egan]

ya gotta be smilin'
ya gotta be dancin'
ya gotta be shakin' dat ass

[Barry Egan]

 

[Powerslave]

ya gotta be smilin'
ya gotta be dancin'
ya gotta be shakin' dat ass

stfu

[Barry Egan]

ya gotta be smilin'
ya gotta be dancin'
ya gotta be shakin' dat ass

stfu

 

[ferrarimanf355]

Demi has a GAF proxy?
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=8732276&postcount=155

[Barry Egan]

you better step it up motherfuckers!!1

ahaha I the Baldwin guido in the passenger side

[Powerslave]

You have been banned for the following reason:
Being a douche in the junior member thread


heh

[The Sceneman]

you better step it up motherfuckers!!1

ahaha I the Baldwin guido in the passenger side

I love the dude that busts out from the back going BABY BLUE BABY BLUE wtf

[Barry Egan]

...cant stop watching wtf...

[zeergoth]

[youtube=425,350]34mEP-qW1nk[/youtube]pwned

[ferrarimanf355]

You have been banned for the following reason:
Being a douche in the junior member thread


heh

Is it permanent?

[The Sceneman]

OMFG Youtube of the month (was actually posted in July but whatevs, amazing)

[youtube=425,350]_DNDE1ATsck[/youtube]
rewatched it agian for about the 6th time, incredible stuff

[aoi tsuki]

Okay, i watched it. Now how do i unwatch it?

[PhoenixWright]

What's the point of that ad?

"There are no accidents..." Maybe it's about fate?