Comments on: “A Trash-Talking High School Math Teacher”

By: Megan

Megan — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 23:23:48 +0000

Now I can sleep. Phew! My list of life’s mysteries is officially lessened by one.

Back that up. When I lived with the guy five years ago, he figured this one out people. Slow news? Nah. Old news.

By: Scott Farrar

Scott Farrar — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 01:56:51 +0000

When I saw it on reddit and kottke I was thinking “this is getting pretty big.”

I agree the graphics work well in the context of the video and description of the problem. In fact, it fits the report perfectly.

I liked the varying points of view from all these sites (and the news report). You can see some of the attitudes the public has towards math / high school, whether they be good or bad.

Don’t let the fame go to your trash-talking head.

By: Russ Goerend

Russ Goerend — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 00:34:38 +0000

Please ignore the “let’s” typo. :)

By: Russ Goerend

Russ Goerend — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 00:32:10 +0000

I took your idea and put a Language Arts spin on it. The other day my kids journaled on this question:

Why does Fareway (local grocery store) have a limit of 10 items in their express lane and Wal-mart let’s their express lane users go through with 20 items?

By: Dan Meyer

Dan Meyer — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 22:57:47 +0000

They contacted me through my blog’s contact form and in a Twitter reply. Apparently, their reporters trade links on Facebook, which was where they found my piece. The reporter couldn’t trace it farther back than that, though.

By: Guy Srinivasan

Guy Srinivasan — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 18:32:24 +0000

That was sweet! Keep up the WCYDWT! :D

By: Chris Craft

Chris Craft — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 17:59:31 +0000

Fantastic work!

I’d be curious if this would play out across other supermarkets. Perhaps a bigger chain? I wonder if there’d be a difference for length of tenure of cashier?

Good stuff. Thanks for making math applicable.

Chris Craft

By: Scott McLeod

Scott McLeod — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 16:41:28 +0000

Dan, you rock. Only you could take a linear equation and get yourself on the TV news with it… Nicely done!

By: Francie

Francie — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 15:54:41 +0000

I think you should do a study on height and success. I have always heard that taller men are more successful. Of course that means first defining success, but … hmmmmm. You are tall and successful. Is this a math problem?

By: Dan Meyer

Dan Meyer — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 15:49:05 +0000

Yeah, “trash talking.” I can’t believe they went with that descriptor. At the same time, I guess I can’t really refute it either.

Oh yeah, and I couldn’t help feeling just a touch vindicated when they used my cough drops for the broadcast.