[bick_nyers]

I think the illiterate part is a bit harsh but I generally agree with the rest of your sentiment.

I was just recently giving your exact argument, that if in high school you learned only exactly what was needed to perform your job as an adult, you would essentially be a cog in a machine that requires the world to stay completely static for your entire life in order for you to not get screwed when your skills inevitably become obsolete.

The point of calculus (which imo is just the common path of achieving mathematical maturity) is not that you will use math in your day to day, but that you will be a more well-rounded and dynamic person mentally.

That being said, uninspired high school mathematics focused on memorization is not helpful for anyone.