Oldest rule

Another example of my oldest rule and oldest passion, endlessly repeated in this blog.

As I animate electrotyping and stereotyping, I’m having trouble with the chemical aspects. One of the source articles made an error which was probably simple and obvious. I couldn’t spot it until I read several other explanations.

I took chemistry in high school and got good grades because I was a quick study and generally competent. But I didn’t learn anything. None of the subject matter stuck after the final test. It passed through the brain without leaving any skills behind, like Metamucil through the gut.

The material was presented in isolation, with no connection to reality. The teacher never mentioned which trade or skill would use this particular reaction, and there was never a job-like exercise surrounding the reaction. Just the test tubes and bunsen burners and litmus paper.

Studying without a purpose is a total waste of time. When you need to understand math or chemistry or biology TO HELP WITH A JOB or to help with a deeper interest or passion, you learn.