Our Prime Minister (at time of writing), Rishi Sunak, is expected to announce that all students will have to study “some form of maths” until they are 18. I studied maths, further maths, higher maths, and physics, at A level. I liked maths, I continue to find it very useful, and I enjoy it. But many people don’t, and probably never will. Our brains are not all wired the same way, thankfully.
I remember attending a lecture of the Institute of Risk Management, where the lecturer argued that statistics should be a core subject for everyone. I agree in principle, because statistics are often presented in order to persuade us to buy something, when the argument is false. Benjamin Disraeli said “there are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies and statistics.”
You will notice that I am alive. In my post yesterday, I expressed my concern about taking statins. My mathematical ability did not protect me from misinterpreting statistical information. The leaflet said that 1 in 1000 people suffer abnormal muscle breakdown. It went on to add that it didn’t always go away, and could lead to kidney problems, and may be life threatening. Emotions, whether fear, or desire, can obscure the facts. Fear made me assume that by taking the pill I had a 1 in 1000 chance of dying from it. Of course not! Presumably 1 in 1000 do experience some sort of muscle problem. Hopefully, the percentage who suffer kidney problems, as a result, is much, much smaller.
I guess sometimes, when the real solutions to problems are unpalatable, (like reversing Brexit, or speaking to union leaders), politicians throw out new policy ideas like chaff from a bomber, to distract attention.