Cursive time.
I was on a Facebook thread recently questioning why kids should be *required* to learn cursive these days. I was casting around for an analogy to illustrate both the fact that cursive *could* have utility and acknowledging that in the third decade of the 21st century, it is an anachronism.
One example is reading a clock face. Most kids these days don’t even own a watch–they use their cell phones to tell time. Most clocks today are digital–for example, the ones in our microwave oven and our radiant heat oven. But I wear a clock face watch. I learned expressions like “quarter after” and “quarter till” that reflect having learned how to read a clock face, what some have called “cursive time.” I wouldn’t advocate forcing all kids to learn how to read a clock face, although I can testify to its utility.
Another example that came to my mind was driving a manual transmission car. When I was growing up, my parents only had stick shifts, so I learned on that. I took drivers ed in high school for the insurance discount, and those were all automatics. While my Honda Fit is a stick shift, they are getting hard to find these days. Should all kids be taught how to drive a manual transmission car? No. Would it be a useful skill? Sure. If you want to steal my car, you’ll have to learn how to drive a stick shift.
One example is reading a clock face. Most kids these days don’t even own a watch–they use their cell phones to tell time. Most clocks today are digital–for example, the ones in our microwave oven and our radiant heat oven. But I wear a clock face watch. I learned expressions like “quarter after” and “quarter till” that reflect having learned how to read a clock face, what some have called “cursive time.” I wouldn’t advocate forcing all kids to learn how to read a clock face, although I can testify to its utility.
Another example that came to my mind was driving a manual transmission car. When I was growing up, my parents only had stick shifts, so I learned on that. I took drivers ed in high school for the insurance discount, and those were all automatics. While my Honda Fit is a stick shift, they are getting hard to find these days. Should all kids be taught how to drive a manual transmission car? No. Would it be a useful skill? Sure. If you want to steal my car, you’ll have to learn how to drive a stick shift.
A couple examples from when I was teaching: “typing.” Just about everybody types in one form or another but too few know why we call it typing. And “dialing” ~ Just about everybody dials in one form or another but too few know why we call it dialing. Great examples of things that can be set in our minds that can barely be shaken
It actually led to a short-study of Americana canards, cliches and old wives’ tales
And in-turn are turning into computer security parameters, copyright protection
A cultural thing “AI”, bots and trolls can’t understand …
@Ten,
I posted this on Facebook as well. A FB friend commented:
“The scale in the deli is also digital. I once was taken aback when a young woman at the deli counter could not understand my request for “one-half pound of turkey.””
Joel:
I believe I told this story before. Going into a bagel bakery with a list my wife created in Cursive. I gave it to the person rather than having to detail it verbally. She could not read it. It was an “oh crap” moment.” I could envision myself having to repeat each type and having to inspect each of the baker’s dozen.
Fortunately, another person could read my wife’s note written in cursive. I usually print things out by hand carefully. It is easier to get what you are asking across to the other person.
As to standard transmission? My 66 Pontiac Lemans was 4 on the floor with an inline six-cylinder engine and a 4 – barrel carb. It flew. Go to college while I worked was a 4-door Datsun 510 with a Borg-Warner transmission. After college, we ratcheted-up to an Audi Fox with Standard transmission.
In 2026, we have a 2025 Mazda all-wheel drive CX-50 with a six-speed trans and different transmission settings (which I am still learning) mostly based up environment and weather. But that is not all of it. It also has proximity warnings and actions. If someone breaks in front of us, it will slow down. If someone is passing us, a yellow light appears in the mirror.
In a way, I am happy to have all of these devices as more drivers are doing stupid things.