Agreed, its not any individual piece of information, but the process and skill development of how to problem solve and think critically. Futhermore, realize that there are absolutes and rules that must be followed that have been proven time and time again.

On more than one occasion, when a student in my classes asks the question, "When will I ever use this information?", I give them the above explanation above. If they still insist on pushing the point I then respond to the questioner that its true, that particular "askee" will probably never use the information, but we have a responsibility to present this information for others who may need it in future and therefore need to provide it to our student populace.

We never get to use that stuff. That's mostly true. I think the value lies in being taught how to think, not the math itself.

The film IDIOCRACY was actually a documentary.

Seriously? Oh I would complain. Isn't there an advertising standdards organisation.

Anti education, but of course they know that anyone with half an education, or even the power to think for themselves is not looking at or paying any attention to TV adds. Therefore all TV commercials are targeted at the most vulnerable people in society. Just like religion it is all about exploiting the weak, and if you are happy to do that, then why would you baulk at feeding their prejudices.

Sounds about right. Put math into all about texting and they will use it.