this post was submitted on 16 Aug 2024
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Kids these days do absolutely still know how to read analog clocks.
Besides, they probably shouldn't put effort into that. Those things are close to useless nowadays. It's mostly a case of schools being conservative... but then, it's not that much of an effort, so there are more important things to care about.
I do know how to read an analog clock, but I dont read it subconciously, because my brain works on digital time, so I will have to look at it and then figure out what that time is if it were on a digital clock.
So if I see an analog clock I would rather look at my phone because that is just quicker than doing the conversion.
If you want to know more, look at the video Technology Connections (2?) did about it.
I read analogue clocks subconsciously, converting them automatically to 24h time.
Actually, a lot don't. I mean, like, at least fifty percent. You would be surprised. I don't think it's schools being conservative so much as it didn't occur to teachers and staff that analogue clocks are frankly obsolete (I still like them). I didn't read this article, but it sounds like that's being corrected.
Anyways, I really respect your attitude that it's not worth getting bent out of shape or spending a lot of time on, I think you're right. A lot of people get precious about it or, worse, make fun of kids like they're stupid because they haven't wasted their time learning to read, essentially, a sundial.
I'm guessing they know how, but it's not as quick as just glancing at it. I mean fuck I'm in my 40s but that's true for me, too.
If we only taught things that were "useful" then we'd be discarding half the curriculum. Stuff like history, art, and how a fucking analog clock works, is worth teaching, even if it's not something everyone uses every day.
Well, I don't exactly disagree... but one of those things is completely different from the others.
I would agree more if we were talking literally about "how an analog clock works" instead of the convention to reading them. But it would still be a niche knowledge that you can take from Wikipedia if it ever becomes relevant to you.
Not sure about that. For high school math it is still quite important that students are familiar with circles and angles on circles. Analogue clocks are a gentle introduction to this.