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What was a fact taught to you in school that has been proven false during your lifetime? (lemmy.ca)

submitted 1 week ago by Kurtagag@lemmy.ca to c/asklemmy@lemmy.ml

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[–] flicker@lemmy.dbzer0.com 143 points 1 week ago (4 children)

"You need to learn this because you won't always have a calculator on you!"

[–] Moobythegoldensock@lemm.ee 45 points 1 week ago (2 children)

That wasn’t so much a “fact” told in school as it was a prediction, and it was true for them. Some people carried pocket calculators, but most people didn’t. Some supermarkets has calculators built into their carts, but most didn’t.

Failing to predict society’s norms in 20 years isn’t the same as teaching a false fact.

[–] LouSlash@sh.itjust.works 10 points 1 week ago (2 children)

Some supermarkets has calculators built into their carts

wat

[–] anomnom@sh.itjust.works 9 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

Tiny photocell powered calculators used to be everywhere. There were “thin” ones to fit in your Costanza sized wallet, Mousepads with them built in, and my wristwatch in 6th grade had one with tiny rubber keys.

It was a magical time till be alive. 5318008

[–] Moobythegoldensock@lemm.ee 7 points 1 week ago

Yep, back in the 90s they were in some places. My local supermarket had one like this, except without the annoying ad on the left side.

[–] ThoGot@lemm.ee 9 points 1 week ago

The same was told to me even as everybody already had mobile phones with calculators in them or even iPhones

[–] itsworkthatwedo@sh.itjust.works 27 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Basic mathematical literacy is a prerequisite to being able to use a calculator.

[–] StaticFalconar@lemmy.world 2 points 1 week ago

I feel have super power by being to calculate accurate tips without needing to crack out my phone.

[–] JeremyHuntQW12@lemmy.world 1 points 1 week ago

Yeah but its such a hassle to find, so...