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Why are Soviet math textbooks so hardcore in comparison to US textbooks? (2017)

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Re: Why are Soviet math textbooks so hardcore in comparison to US textbooks? (2017)

#3
Right. So there was a global consensus, promoted by certain folks, that adherence to academics was the secret to national success.

And the Soviets bought in to that propaganda, to their detriment. They spent a fortune and produced the most well-educated and thoughtful population in human history. A couple of their satellite states even achieved genuine 100% literacy. Not 100% rounded but 100% exact.

The campaign thus was a success. It was amazing. Fortunes were spent on the totally unimportant goal of an egalitarian society where everyone is respected and helped.

Being smart isn't how you succeed as top dog in this era.

edit: Downvotes away uneducated ignoranti with no counterpoints! Yee haw!

Re: Why are Soviet math textbooks so hardcore in comparison to US textbooks? (2017)

#4

Right. So there was a global consensus, promoted by certain folks, that adherence to academics was the secret to national success. And the Soviets bought in to that propaganda, to their detriment. They spent a fortune and produced the most well-educated and thoughtful population in human history. A couple of their satellite states even achieved genuine 100% literacy. Not 100% rounded but 100% exact. The campaign thus…

How do you succeed as top dog in this era?

Re: Why are Soviet math textbooks so hardcore in comparison to US textbooks? (2017)

#5

Right. So there was a global consensus, promoted by certain folks, that adherence to academics was the secret to national success. And the Soviets bought in to that propaganda, to their detriment. They spent a fortune and produced the most well-educated and thoughtful population in human history. A couple of their satellite states even achieved genuine 100% literacy. Not 100% rounded but 100% exact. The campaign thus…

What are you even talking about?

Re: Why are Soviet math textbooks so hardcore in comparison to US textbooks? (2017)

#7
In a US college in the 80s, the math professors definitely seemed to be in awe of the Russians when it came to this stuff. And though I was in the US, early on I was in an utter hardware wasteland, and I do think that not having much hardware access improved my ability to just sit and think about things with pencil and paper.

Re: Why are Soviet math textbooks so hardcore in comparison to US textbooks? (2017)

#8

Right. So there was a global consensus, promoted by certain folks, that adherence to academics was the secret to national success. And the Soviets bought in to that propaganda, to their detriment. They spent a fortune and produced the most well-educated and thoughtful population in human history. A couple of their satellite states even achieved genuine 100% literacy. Not 100% rounded but 100% exact. The campaign thus…

> Downvotes away ignoranti!

Not a mod, but that’s against the HN guidelines and is likely to keep your comment grayed out.

I thought the rest of your comment was interesting, FWIW.

Re: Why are Soviet math textbooks so hardcore in comparison to US textbooks? (2017)

#9

Right. So there was a global consensus, promoted by certain folks, that adherence to academics was the secret to national success. And the Soviets bought in to that propaganda, to their detriment. They spent a fortune and produced the most well-educated and thoughtful population in human history. A couple of their satellite states even achieved genuine 100% literacy. Not 100% rounded but 100% exact. The campaign thus…

They also invested in a campaign of intimidation, abuse, and murder. They also didn't value hard work or really any work.

So you're right they spent a lot of effort on education in STEM but didn't follow through on fostering an environment that rewards hard work so all these super smart analytical ppl realized there was no reason to try.

Re: Why are Soviet math textbooks so hardcore in comparison to US textbooks? (2017)

#10
post #9

Right. So there was a global consensus, promoted by certain folks, that adherence to academics was the secret to national success. And the Soviets bought in to that propaganda, to their detriment. They spent a fortune and produced the most well-educated and thoughtful population in human history. A couple of their satellite states even achieved genuine 100% literacy. Not 100% rounded but 100% exact. The campaign thus…

They also invested in a campaign of intimidation, abuse, and murder. They also didn't value hard work or really any work. So you're right they spent a lot of effort on education in STEM but didn't follow through on fostering an environment that rewards hard work so all these super smart analytical ppl realized there was no reason to try.

Yes, Stalin and some others were pieces of shit. Do you know what the Union Army did to Native Americans?
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