Numbered words.

9.18.2004

I don't believe in statistics. It has nothing to do with my being a Masscom student, and my infinite abhorence to Mathematics and its cousins (algebra, trigonometry etc.). I just don't believe in numbers. Well, I can solve simple word problems, if you're talking about simple addition, subtraction, multiplication ( i love multiplying! ), and division.

What I mean, i can add one to one, and I'd get 2 for the sum. I can multiply one with none, and I wouldn't get freaked out with the solution. But, don't expect me to add polynomials and extract the square root of this digit and divide it with the reciprocal of X over Y, where X is equivalent to 3.123. I beg your pardon? Are you speaking in English, sire? Next question please!

I hate numbers and my mom can attest to that. I can recall the first and probably the ONLY time she sat with me to help me with my lesson. She was teaching me the multiplication table--no, let's make that she was compelling me to memorize the stupid, who-knows-where-it-came-from multiplication table. This, I think, is possibly the ugliest way of multiplying things!). Anyhow, up to this time, I burst into fits of giggles when I am reminded of that scenario. She was holding my book, and I was in front of her crying my heart out. I think she even told me,"para sa'yo rin yang ginagawa mo. Wag kang mag-inarte!!!". I didn't bother to learn the lesson, whatever it was.

That triggered my humungous hate for Math--which alerted my love for words.

I love playing with words. Words are symbols humans use to understand each other. And I'm telling you, human communication is really, really complex! I love words! Sometimes, I can even get really technical about it. To simplify things ( nah...not the one we do with mixed fractions!), let me illustrate:

If you add one to one, you'll get two, right? But in the language, when a couple gets married, you address your wife as your "better half" and not "the other one". Every standard ruler measures 12 inches-- King Henry V was a ruler, does he measure 12 inches? Then there's the ambigram--look at it either way and you'll see the same word. I am also fond of word games, Text Twist to be exact. I can spend 3 hours straight just playing it.

Nah, im just blabbering. All I'm saying is no matter how convincing numbers are in statistics, you can always make numbers work for your advantage. If ever you see a school congratulating their high percentage of board passers in a national exam, think twice. Have second thoughts.
Remember, 50% of 2 is 1.

Numbers can lie, in one way or another.