Posted on 02/13/2026 5:21:44 PM PST by DoodleBob
An old newspaper page from 1986 has resurfaced on social media, showing math teachers protesting against the use of calculators in the classroom, until upper grades. Back then, the concerns were not only about students' academic dependency, but many feared that it would replace human skills and take away jobs that depended on manual calculation.
Years later, the history appears to repeat itself. This time, the conversation has shifted from calculators to Artificial Intelligence, as an AI tool can take on tasks like -- writing, designing, teaching, and problem-solving, eventually weakening critical thinking, creativity and overall learning process.
Just like calculators, AI can easily outperform humans in speed and specific tasks. AI works continuously and cuts costs, which makes the fear of becoming irrelevant and replaceable quicker.
History suggests something important
Skills and jobs rarely disappear overnight. Instead, they transform the old skills into new ones. The calculator era showed the adoption for those who decided to endure the struggle. Even prominent leaders agree.
Infosys founder Narayana Murthy does not see AI as a threat, but as a tool that enhances human abilities, calling it the next big frontier in technology. Highlighting its potential, Murthy said AI can help solve complex problems and described the human mind as the “most flexible instrument.”
The 1986 protest reminds us that fear often comes before adaptation. What once appeared like a threat later became a job evolution.
The post on X, by @JonErlichman, quickly went viral, triggering widespread discussion across social media platforms.
One user humorously wrote, “Wait until these teachers hear about ChatGPT. They’re going to need bigger signs.’’
Another user commented, “Seems like the protests worked? I didn't use a calculator until I got to algebra 2.’’
A third user said, “Nothing will ever change? No one will ask this simple question. Why?”
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I agree with not allowing calculators. Education is supposed to make you learn to think. The ability to do math in your head is a good way to avoid falling for BS.
It’s a calculated risk.
I remember this, and they said allowing calculators would discriminate against children who had parents that could not afford them.
personally I think they should still be banned from elementary schools cause math is good to know.
the main difference is that calculators generally give you the correct answer unless you fat finger or misunderstand things, but AI will just flat out lie to you without a second thought.
Nah, I'd rather have the 15C.
😂😂😂
1975.
Gimme a slide rule
I want101
4401”?S/
0 to agree with you about that, but the 25c (I still have 7mine) was
then I think there could be an argument about the 12c vs 15c.
if you worked in finance or as a mtg broker the 12c was “THE” ing, but if you worked in engineering it was the 15c
I also have both those still.
today I use a 15c emulator on my phone, if I need one.
Polish calculators are just nearly impossible to use.
the above errors were introduced by my cat which got out of it’s box alive and wanted revenge or something
Anyone old enough to have used a Victor Comptometer?
Many decades ago I taught a general math course in a public school. I taught things like estimation and percentages. And also doing basic calculations in your head.
Those skills are all gone now, replaced by a calculator. (Not my choice.)
The kids are much worse for it.
I still remember when having your own personal trig calculator was a big deal.
I was 100% surprised that schools let kids use calculators at a young age.
I was kind of a Math-whiz in H.S... Algebra/Trig/Calculus came easy and I enjoyed it.. Not sure if calculators would have helped back then... Also, it was funny the college bound folks asking my help - except the well-endowed girl who was very friendly.
I had no ambition for college, never liked school... The H.S. ended up graduating me with probably a 2.2 GPA just to get me out of there. I would probably been kicked-out except the H.S. hired my Mom as Security/Hall Monitor in the 11th grade...
HP 11C is probably better. The financial functions are just algebra.
And now math scores are abysmal
The ability to mentally determine reasonableness is a under appreciated skill.
> I was 100% surprised that schools let kids use calculators at a young age. <
In my experience anyway (post #13) calculators were introduced early in order to boost test scores, and make the district look good.
Everything else was secondary to that.
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