[sdiy] OT ( was Re: Waveform analysis into non-sine components)

[David G Dixon]

Well, I'm gratified to see that my snarky comments sparked much discussion.
I too sucked at math in school (well, sucked is too strong a word: I was in
the advanced math classes in my high school (which means nothing,
considering where I grew up), but I certainly didn't stand out at
university; far from it).  I too largely blame poor teachers for it.  My
differential calculus prof at uni kept trying to make it accessible by
giving everything a silly name.  If you missed a class or two (as I did,
often), you wouldn't know what the hell was going on.  ("What's a 'monkey
function'?"  "If you ever came to class, you'd know.")  I got a B-.  My
integral calculus prof was great; he did lots of examples and explained
things clearly.  I got an A.  My multivariable calculus prof was a senile
old fool who never successfully finished a single example on the board, as
far as I can recall.  I got a C-.  I didn't distinguish myself in my
undergraduate numerical math course, but I obtained a near-perfect mark in
my graduate numerical math class, because I had a real reason to know at
that point.  Also, Laplace transforms were a meaningless blur for me in
undergraduate process control class, but when I wanted to use Laplace
inversion to solve differential equations in graduate school, I found it
pretty straightforward (as I do now when I am trying to derive transfer
functions for filters and such).

Bottom line: we only ever learn anything when we have a real need or desire
to do so.

To quote the Sufi poet, Jalaluddin Rumi:

The mouse-soul is nothing but a nibbler.
To the mouse is given a mind proportionate to its need,
for without need, the Almighty God
doesn't give anything to anyone.
Need, then, is the net for all things that exist:
man has tools in proportion to his need.
So, quickly, increase your need, needy one,
that the sea of abundance may surge up in loving kindness.

(Translation: Camille and Kabir Helminski)