Mnemonics

Roger Johansson · 2005-06-29T11:43:32+00:00

Above url is a great resource for learning the basics of electronics, and many other sciences.I note, however, that mnemonics are used, even when the value of themnemonics is very doubtful.Eli the Ice man, is obviously such a mnemonic, at the url quoted above.Here the practical value seems to be zero or less than zero.It is a lot easier to learn how inductors and capacitors work,and from that knowledge understand when the current lags the voltage and vice versa, than to learn some complex mnemonic phrase.Using mnemonics is a remnant of religious teachings.In religion you only have to learn to repeat stuff.There is no need to understand anything.You learn the holy texts like a parrot, and that was the most advancedform of learning for thousands of years, as long as the church hadcontrol over the education.In lately secularized countries, like USA, the religious views onlearning is still strong, and has its influence even on scientific andtechnical education. That is why mnemonics and acronyms are used andloved so much by US-americans.It is a way to tell the world: See how good I am, I have "learned"this, I can repeat it over and over again.-- Roger J.

Mnemonics

Jun 29, 2005 40 Replies

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That's all very nice, but there are many other paths to the same destination.

Oh, come now; there's feelings (biological "error messages") and feelings (higher emotional response loops). Why have you quit using the "Remember, Bush is a dangerous liar" sig? Because you recognized the falsity of that particular high-level knee-jerk.

Ah, you're saying emotional "cramps" are the cause of disease? ISTR a couple three religions already built on that idea.

Yeah, well, I don't take orders worth crap.

You and I know that; try telling the OP.

So, those of us who have roofs and raincoats are "more equal"?

Well, if you feel it's really necessary...

Beats the crap out of losing your place several times in a RL conversation.

Yup. Too bad so many deny theirs. Even worse that they try to deny others'.

"Economics of scarcity".

See, that's the problem; enough would that society needs to keep hammers handy to pound down _all_ the nails that stick up the least litle bit.

Its message usually boils down to either "run away" or "tear its throat out". While the latter worked for most of our ancestors, there are severe social repercussions nowadays.

I like that phrase because I'm not a day person. Yeah, that tends to bring out the social hammer-wielders, but I found a job performing a vital service at night, so f*ck 'em.

Mark L. Fergerson