David Sklansky's Article: Math, Logic, and Poker

[CrayZee]

I think things outside the realm of math and science are important as well (arts, etc., are a part of the human experience), but perhaps less of a priority to people.

I think you need to instill a sense of importance for learning to think about things using reasoning. The problem is that a lot of people are not motivated to learn subjects that are generally more difficult.

The only time people seem encouraged to actually persue study in these subjects is when the financial payoff is decent for a job, at least in terms of popular belief. I saw this during the dot-com boom when everyone and their mom wanted to go into computers. HR staff would say that they "worked in IT" almost with the zeal of a lead programmer. Good times.

Since then the wannabes have moved to other areas and college enrollment has declined for computer science because of the dot-com bust plus overreaction to concerns of outsourcing. There are many good opportunities out there for the years to come for people that enter this field.

Anyway, enough rambling.