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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A physicist(15c), an engineer(15c) and an economist(12c) are stranded in the desert. They are hungry.
Suddenly, they find a can of corn. They want to open it, but how?
The physicist says: “Let’s start a fire and place the can inside the flames. It will explode and then we will all be able to eat”.
“Are you crazy?” says the engineer. “All the corn will burn and scatter, and we’ll have nothing. We should use a metal wire, attach it to a base, push it and crack the can open.”
“Both of you are wrong!” states the economist.“The solution is simple: ASSUME we have a can opener.”
HP 12c for the win!
This will not turn out well...
Does an E6-B count?
A Chinese graduate student informed me that electronic calculators are not allowed in Chinese math classrooms. Probably not relevant but students are also required to each lunch standing as it discourages talking and loitering.
eat lunch...
As an engineer, and a father, I think calculators should be banned for schools. Only 8n university, 9nce you know the basics of manually calculating division, multiplication, square and cube roots, integration etc should you be allowed calculators.
It is important to know the basic mechanics
They objected to slide rules before that.
It made trig fun for me.
I used a slide rule in my Junior Chemistry course...before the hand held calculators were introduced.
I mentioned this in recent posts as an example of AI causing people to stop using their logical consciousness.
Does anyone know how to use a slide rule anymore?
I prefer the 15C, but both are great.
The sad part is what happened to HP, as they migrated to crappy bloatware-infested PCs and overpriced printers.
Amazon doesn’t sell them, so i had to buy one on ebay with instructions as a refresher.
This originated from a conversation with my dental hygienist who is studying engineering.
I bought an old German one and had to get one for me too, just well...because.
Nostalgia, curiosity, keep the neurons active and all that.
To think they used them to build rockets...the brain pops.
Ha!
Smart girl!
On the spectrum smart.
...our people!
“...Does anyone know how to use a slide rule anymore?...”
Yes. I still have the one that I used back in the early 70s in engineering college.
It’s a real nice K&E....top of the line in its day.
I sometimes show it to my grandkids and try to explain to them how to use it.
They look at me like I’m some kind of a freak genius from another planet.
I have two. 45 years old and working like new. Wonderful device.
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