ancient+math+society

Many of you have asked, "Why is math so hard?" This is a question that students have pondered for years. You, my students, have so impressed me with your thirst for knowledge, that I have decided to tell the truth.... There is an ancient secret society whose sole purpose is to keep the power of calculation from falling into the hands of those who seek to use mathematics without fully understanding it. This society is comprised of mathematicians from all over the world. Every math teacher is a member (although they will never admit it to you). We meet at midnight on the second Tuesday of each month. Our meetings are conducted by candlelight in the halls of some of the most prestigious libraries in the world. We wear our secret cloaks, each embroidered with a mathematical symbol (mine is the symbol for pi). Each time we meet, we discuss ways to confuse and frustrate those who are not yet ready to commit to a serious study of the subject. We are determined to hide the fact that math is easy...that every calculation involves little more than addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. These are concepts that most people understand...how can math be mesmerizing...mystifying...awe-inspiring...if it involves such easy ideas? NO...we will never allow this secret to get out.

I have said too much.