I think there is weight to the knowledge. Knowing something rarely causes more harm than good. Less you're an Al-Queda operative captured by the CIA...and even then if you don't know anything you'd probably reap the same repercussions as if you did.
Of course learning isn't a bad thing. But you're missing the point. Instead of spending years learning calculus or history you could be learning something actually related to your interests and talents. Someone like you who has two majors and three minors obviously has a lot of interests. You're not the typical student. The typical student wants to be a doctor or a lawyer and has to suffer through calculus to do it. Has anyone ever died because their doctor couldn't finance a mortgage?
High school seniors should be have to demonstrate proficiency in English before graduating.
I agree with that, except I am sure we have very different ideas of what "proficiency" means. If they can read, write, and speak enough to communicate then they pass. There is no reason for them to ever learn what a gerund is, or memorize prepositions, or be able to distinguish between "who" and "whom". When
nonpariel says "ain't never" ↓ down there I know what they mean, it doesn't matter that it is improper grammar. I know that using "they" to refer to someone of unknown gender is wrong, but it sounds a lot better than "he or she" to me, so who cares? These things are not important.
Algebra and numerical analysis are two different things though. I honestly can't see what's hard about any form of algebra. It usually comes down to just moving things in an equation around. Or in linear algebra, simply setting up a matrix. I think most people can get through University algebra if they apply themselves well enough. It may be harder for some than others, but at the same accord it's not so tough as to completely leave everyone behind.
Even if it is true that most people are capable of learning advanced algebra, why should they go through the effort? What good does it do them? It is a huge waste of time for the vast majority of humanity.
So what was Edison doing repeating the same thing again and again to try to find the right filament? Because he likes it he doesn't consider what he does as "repeatedly doing things that are easy for them over and over again". It's the same of people who do embroidery or any type of hobby basically. You are coming from the assumption that homework must be "endlessly practicing basic skills", but that's not true. Good homework can challenge the person, and when the person enjoy them, it's fun even if it's considered repetitive to others.
You and I are not talking about the same thing. Homework can be challenging if you are taking a class on chess or Sudoku, but what I remember about homework was not fun at all. It was endlessly practicing basic skills, or reading books I didn't like, or memorizing useless lists. Maybe the Fairfax County Public School system was doing something wrong, I don't know.
Yes, I'm saying a tool is useless if it ain't never used. A lack of past accomplishments speaks to how productive the person is as a person. Potential is nothing if it's never realised.
A bomb has the same potential energy whether you set it off or not. It can be used for good or for evil or never used at all. That doesn't change what it is. Accomplishments are all meaningless when you get down to it anyways. In a few million years the sun is going to explode, and all life as we know it will probably cease to exist long before that. Neither the genius nor the idiot can change this. But in the meantime, a genius has the potential to do a lot more than an idiot, and that makes them more valuable.
alot of people usually dont.