Well, sometimes memorization is necessary. In biology, for example, there are some things you're just expected to know. Adenine, thymine, cytosine, guanine (bases of DNA). Mitochondria, nucleus, chloroplast (plant cell organelles). Common species names: Dresseina polymorpha, Drosophila melanogaster, Arabadopsis. You memorize them in first and seconn year but it's because you need that lingo to be able to talk science.
My issue is the memorization that has no purpose. I once had to memorize the 12 different proteins that interacted to form a complex that split apart DNA. These were things like Bam1, HRV1a mind you. That sort of memorization is pointless. Unless you're in the field, you don't need to know. If you're in the field, you'll know that because you study it. If you're not - mind GOT that's why ppl who MAKE TEXTBOOKS write that shit down. :p
I could list off 30 different zooplankton species names because I catalogue them every day. It certainly doesn't mean that every biologist needs to know that.
(no subject)
Date: 2008-01-11 02:55 am (UTC)My issue is the memorization that has no purpose. I once had to memorize the 12 different proteins that interacted to form a complex that split apart DNA. These were things like Bam1, HRV1a mind you. That sort of memorization is pointless. Unless you're in the field, you don't need to know. If you're in the field, you'll know that because you study it. If you're not - mind GOT that's why ppl who MAKE TEXTBOOKS write that shit down. :p
I could list off 30 different zooplankton species names because I catalogue them every day. It certainly doesn't mean that every biologist needs to know that.
*steps off soap box*
-T. pirate