It doesn’t matter what the teachers said
They don’t know as much as we might think
We can learn to deal x,y,z.

These letters ,used as numbers, are not dead
But in the mind’s eye, glow like golden ink
It doesn’t matter what the teacher said

I learned that once when I was ill in bed
I saw a screen with letters which were linked
We can learn to deal with x,y,z.

The letters moved to stand in two lines wed
Then ratios formed and thus caused me to think
It doesn’t matter what the teacher said

I saw the answer glitter as I read
Pascal solved it once, and then I did
We can learn to deal with x,y,z.

Observe the patterns ,hidden and unread;
Like music which has scores and does their bid
I doesn’t matter what the teacher said
We can learn to deal x,y,z.

Mary buys x pairs of trousers[ for all those people who tell me they are afraid of x,y and z

Mary goes shopping for trousers.
Let number of pairs of trousers bought = x
If Mary has £60 and price of trousers=£12
How many pairs of trousers can Mary buy?
12x =60
6x=30
3x=15
1x =5

Usually we leave out the 1 and write x=5 QED

So Mary can buy 5 pairs of trousers.This is algebra
Is it sensible to buy 5 pairs of identical trousers? That is not mathematics.It might be common senses,ethics,foolishness or wisdom.
That is a more complex question like this one ” Save money:buy 2 get one free” when you don’t even need one!

Further,should Mary draw her life savings out and buy 1,000 pairs of trousers?
Clearly not so where should she draw the line? Because ladies get tired of their clothes and how long is Mary going to live? And she is depriving 999 other ladies of a pair of trousers as well.That is worth thinking about but it’s not mathematics,is it?
From this we can conclude that algebra is easier than other problems we deal with.Don’t say maths is hard! It’s easier than ethics and morals and wisdom
Amen
Now we will pray for all those we have offended on FB today!

Titles of online articles I have seen [I have not read them ]

Why your organs shrink at menopause and what you can do about it
Do we want to?

How to handle things.[what sort of things}

Why or how your finger length reveals your gender [Surely easier just to look at the bosom/ chest?}

Which microwave to buy [Making unstated assumptions;some of us either have none or may have stolen one]

Why you need both metal and silicon whisks [I thought it was breasts just for a moment; now there’s an idea]

Why you need to keep lots of frozen pasta in your kitchen [Try turning off the radiator first and checking the ovens]

Which six cookery books are the best? [Look up restaurants on your smartphone instead] I wonder how many this person has checked.I find ones written for catering colleges are better and cheaper.

Why you should never take a bath
[I find a handbag is quite sufficient in the daytime].

How to entertain at home. [Fall out of bed?]

How to keep your husband happy [Freeze him?]

Why you should never forget your wedding anniversary
[Am I married?]

How to have the best number of children

[ Yes, it’s all under our total control]

How to keep your teeth super clean [Stop eating and die?]

Are you bored of sex? [No,I’m bored of London]

How to cure loneliness. [Buy a microwave and some cookery books then invite someone round for a meal]

How to get your bounce back [Buy a dunlopillo mattress?]

Should you take vitamins? [Where to?]

Can you still remember your name [ yes but I won’t tell you]

Now schools open, lockdown comes again
Jesus has one shepherd,one wise man
Just one beast to keep the family warm
And one black sheep to save them all from harm

Nero has one wife whom he will kill
So he may have five concubines at will
The brother gone, which child will he proclaim
After he’s fired all Rome up i HL 0 n great flames?

Oh, Jesus on his Cross must die alone
Except for Mary’s spirit and her bones
One Roman soldier, Pilate with his lie
The men who died with God, all crucified

Filled with joy, the demons prance around
In their septic darkness underground

I saw a wise man yesterday and this is what he said ml

Be creative everyday, don’t die before you’re dead

Keep on looking through your eyes, and see what you can see.

If you don’t your vision is, pure monotony.

Find the words the exact words for thoughts inside your head

Play with children, dance with birds and never be unkind.

Be alive until you die,never be resigned

Don’t despise the lure of clothes don’t let yours see you out.

Don’t be serious, rarely frown, play’s what life’s about

Tell me of the books you have read

Don’t die before you’re dead

Tell me what your nightmares said

Don’t die until you’re dead

https://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2016/dec/02/jg-ballard-house-shepperton