NODE f3769d7aRe: Why Americans feel no compulsion to learn foreign languages
tcmay@got.net (Timothy C. May)Sat, 30 Mar 1996 23:03:11 +0800
At 12:50 PM 3/29/96, Dr. Dimitri Vulis wrote:
>Likewise, Tim says there's no value in learning about "traditional" crypto.
>I say there is.
This is taken completely out of context and is beneath contempt in terms of
trying to argue a point.
*PLONK*
Boycott "Big Brother Inside" software!
We got computers, we're tapping phone lines, we know that that ain't allowed.
---------:---------:---------:---------:---------:---------:---------:----
Timothy C. May | Crypto Anarchy: encryption, digital money,
tcmay@got.net 408-728-0152 | anonymous networks, digital pseudonyms, zero
W.A.S.T.E.: Corralitos, CA | knowledge, reputations, information markets,
Higher Power: 2^756839 - 1 | black markets, collapse of governments.
"National borders aren't even speed bumps on the information superhighway."
NODE d4aa44c4Re: Why Americans feel no compulsion to learn foreign languages
dlv@bwalk.dm.com (Dr. Dimitri Vulis)Sun, 31 Mar 1996 01:46:13 +0800
tcmay@got.net (Timothy C. May) writes:
> *PLONK*
Thank you for the compliment.
---
Dr. Dimitri Vulis
Brighton Beach Boardwalk BBS, Forest Hills, N.Y.: +1-718-261-2013, 14.4Kbps
NODE 1ac84f28Re: Why Americans feel no compulsion to learn foreign languages
dlv@bwalk.dm.com (Dr. Dimitri Vulis)Sun, 31 Mar 1996 02:09:35 +0800
tcmay@got.net (Timothy C. May) writes:
> At 12:50 PM 3/29/96, Dr. Dimitri Vulis wrote:
>
> >Likewise, Tim says there's no value in learning about "traditional" crypto.
> >I say there is.
>
> This is taken completely out of context and is beneath contempt in terms of
> trying to argue a point.
No, I think both of Tim's statements illustrate the typical Americans disdain
for learning for knowledge's sake and the (still amazing to me) ability to
express pride in their ignorance. Most Americans lack the motivation to learn
a foreign language (or even their native language), or to learn what great
naval battles of WW II were won because certain codes were broken, or how to
prove that two triangles are congruent, or how to break a substitution cypher,
since this knowledge won't bring immediate monetary rewards. It's as if though
their challenge is to go through life learning as little as they can get away
with (other than obscure sports statistics).
---
Dr. Dimitri Vulis
Brighton Beach Boardwalk BBS, Forest Hills, N.Y.: +1-718-261-2013, 14.4Kbps