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by S_Daedalus 3583 days ago
I thought I was unable to learn math, until I learned it outside of a school. One book like Prime Obsession was worth more to me than every moment of high school math. It's unbelievable to me that anyone can learn something devoid of context. I think there's a similar problem in how second languages are taught in schools as well.
1 comments

Same here. Now I do independent research (on primes) and am learning higher level mathematics myself by reading older edition textbooks. Mathematics is the best toolset to reason about reality. It's a shame that most people do not know or care to partake in it. It's the purest form of intrinsic truth there is in this universe.
I think it's also just useful to learn for the way it makes you stop and examine the world around you, your own decisions, in a new and more analytical light. Besides, if you're into physics, it's the only way; you can't visualize a 10-sphere.