When I was in law school I was first taught legal research by using books, even though we could have done legal research about 20 times quicker using a computer (Lexis and Westlaw). However, the point of knowing how to do things the "old way" is so you know how it works. Yes, I can punch in 12 x 12 on a calculator, but do you know why 12 x 12 equals 144? And yes, simple cocepts like this is being lost on a generation. I say, brace new technology, but teach people the old way first.
Mr. Wizard, will you lead me around with my eyes closed, then position my body, and tilt my head in such a way so that I can see something "straighten out"? This dude is unbelievable!
Don't be so negative. You pretend that people in the past didn't have kids who didn't apply themselves, you pretend that there weren't failures and that people now are stupider than all the people of previous eras gone by. Well thats just foolish. if one takes the optimistic road you find that there is still (just like in every generation) a certain percentage of the population that loves knowledge and loves learning and applies itself in all endeavors.
The only difference between now and then is that at no other point in human history has this great an amount of information been, not only gathered together in one place, but freely available to the masses with such an incredible ease of access. All i see is the opportunity to fill your head with more knowledge than any mystic or sage of the ancient world or any scientist of the last 300 years. There are people on this earth right now who are taking advantage of this and the result will be grand
...Perhaps if you feel that the current youth is "dumber" you should look at modern societal values or the influence of pop culture. I say this as someone who was raised on Mr. Wizard in the 90's then used the TI-83 in high school. I submit that, at the end of the day, a good teacher with produce students that grasp the material.
To anyone that thinks that "iPhones and calculators" are dumbing down our youth you're sorely mistaken. Kids armed with scientific calculators can learn how to solve much more advanced problems with greater accuracy thanks to these tools. Similarly, with the invention and widespread use of of television, Don Herbert was able to teach a classroom of millions rather than dozens. New technology helps advance the way we share information and promotes learning...
@philipmazz27 You do have a point. The electronic revolution has the potential to revolutionize learning. However, too many people use computers and I-Phones to play games and mess around on Facebook or errrrr..... YouTube! If people would teach their children to use a computer as more than an entertainment tool, learning in this country would be a lot better.
Yesterday I was able to do use the formulas discussed here to solve 4 math problems on an exam faster than 3 other kids 10 years younger than me armed with iphones and calculators. Thank you Mr. Wizard for my epic win over the dumbed down children of the 1990's The decline of western civilization continues via mechanization.
I love it. Kids these days couldn't even function without a calculator, let alone know the formula for computing area or volume. The dumbing down of America continues on. Thanks so much for sharing with us and reminding us how we used to learn things in school, not learn how to be dependent on machines.
but we need those machines though to keep the economy growing, and also to allow the type of guy you couldn't stand at high school to make a fortune and continually go on luxurious holidays and drive a lexus. We need those machines so we don't have to live like they did in the 1950's and 60's where they had to come home to a house with few gadgets and they'd have to sit around to talk to their family members and successfully sustain a household on one income
WOW! I didn't know Mr. Wizard went that far back. I remember the show from the 80s when I was a kid and watched it on Nickelodeon.
7tosha9 5 days ago
When I was in law school I was first taught legal research by using books, even though we could have done legal research about 20 times quicker using a computer (Lexis and Westlaw). However, the point of knowing how to do things the "old way" is so you know how it works. Yes, I can punch in 12 x 12 on a calculator, but do you know why 12 x 12 equals 144? And yes, simple cocepts like this is being lost on a generation. I say, brace new technology, but teach people the old way first.
djsher1 4 months ago
@djsher1 Not only that, but if the power goes out in the courtroom, you can probably destroy the other attorney!
McNabbulous 1 month ago
Mr. Wizard, will you lead me around with my eyes closed, then position my body, and tilt my head in such a way so that I can see something "straighten out"? This dude is unbelievable!
finally39 1 year ago
there were never balls they were always holes LOL.
WDska8boardboyz 1 year ago
If there were never Mr. Wizard on TV, would there have been a world wide computer revolution?
diddymuck 1 year ago
"I see balls" "they were never balls at all"....LMAO. Great video, but that was too funny
matmiller7484 1 year ago
Don't be so negative. You pretend that people in the past didn't have kids who didn't apply themselves, you pretend that there weren't failures and that people now are stupider than all the people of previous eras gone by. Well thats just foolish. if one takes the optimistic road you find that there is still (just like in every generation) a certain percentage of the population that loves knowledge and loves learning and applies itself in all endeavors.
slowlydirt 1 year ago
The only difference between now and then is that at no other point in human history has this great an amount of information been, not only gathered together in one place, but freely available to the masses with such an incredible ease of access. All i see is the opportunity to fill your head with more knowledge than any mystic or sage of the ancient world or any scientist of the last 300 years. There are people on this earth right now who are taking advantage of this and the result will be grand
slowlydirt 1 year ago
...Perhaps if you feel that the current youth is "dumber" you should look at modern societal values or the influence of pop culture. I say this as someone who was raised on Mr. Wizard in the 90's then used the TI-83 in high school. I submit that, at the end of the day, a good teacher with produce students that grasp the material.
philipmazz27 1 year ago
To anyone that thinks that "iPhones and calculators" are dumbing down our youth you're sorely mistaken. Kids armed with scientific calculators can learn how to solve much more advanced problems with greater accuracy thanks to these tools. Similarly, with the invention and widespread use of of television, Don Herbert was able to teach a classroom of millions rather than dozens. New technology helps advance the way we share information and promotes learning...
philipmazz27 1 year ago
@philipmazz27 You do have a point. The electronic revolution has the potential to revolutionize learning. However, too many people use computers and I-Phones to play games and mess around on Facebook or errrrr..... YouTube! If people would teach their children to use a computer as more than an entertainment tool, learning in this country would be a lot better.
McNabbulous 1 month ago
Yesterday I was able to do use the formulas discussed here to solve 4 math problems on an exam faster than 3 other kids 10 years younger than me armed with iphones and calculators. Thank you Mr. Wizard for my epic win over the dumbed down children of the 1990's The decline of western civilization continues via mechanization.
jtack19791 2 years ago 6
@jtack19791 "The decline of western civilization continues via mechanization"? Flapdoodletion. Get a bigger laboratory.
TapesTree 1 year ago
I bet this chick ended up to be a super hotty
charlieclown 2 years ago
Oh yeah total fox
BonerPirate 2 years ago
I love it. Kids these days couldn't even function without a calculator, let alone know the formula for computing area or volume. The dumbing down of America continues on. Thanks so much for sharing with us and reminding us how we used to learn things in school, not learn how to be dependent on machines.
storrs19 2 years ago 4
but we need those machines though to keep the economy growing, and also to allow the type of guy you couldn't stand at high school to make a fortune and continually go on luxurious holidays and drive a lexus. We need those machines so we don't have to live like they did in the 1950's and 60's where they had to come home to a house with few gadgets and they'd have to sit around to talk to their family members and successfully sustain a household on one income
ManfredDeJesus 2 years ago