From: BM

To: Editor

Date: 23 Oct 2004

 

A little more than a decade ago, I designed and marketed a class library which was a relational extension to the Clipper programming language, intended to help people understand that Clipper was not a DBMS, and to introduce them to relational concepts.  The first release did not have a relational DML (I would not implement SQL), and the appearance of Microsoft Access put an end to my efforts at developing a second version.  One cannot compete with Microsoft on the laughably weak basis of product quality.  All of this isn't really relevant; I mention it only because I had a bit of correspondence with you at the time I was developing this product.  I was impressed by the fact that you were a lone voice in the intellectual void, crying that "theory," far from being a "mere" academic concern, is in fact the basis of any DBMS; and something called a DBMS that does not ultimately rest on logical theory can never guarantee database integrity ... or even guarantee that logically equivalent representations of a query will yield the same result.  Since I had, and have, the same view myself, it was a pleasure to correspond with you.

 

Here is the reason I'm writing you: I've only recently become aware of dbdebunk.com, and have been reading it with great interest.  The very first thing that struck me is that you have gone beyond strictly database concerns, and now write about the social and political aspects of a culture whose values inevitably result in "education" that leads to the kind of ignorance that prevents, quite literally, the products of that "education" from thinking straight.  How could they think straight?  Logic and critical thinking are skills which are entirely alien to them.  It is not their fault; the human mind does not intrinsically have an understanding of deductive logic and predicate calculus ... and these subjects are systematically disregarded by the system that purports to "educate" people.  In fact, that system's function is really to condition young minds to be "human resources" (a truly vile term ... though most corporate employees walk past a sign that says "Human Resources" every day and don't give it, or anything else for that matter, much thought).  Resources do not think for themselves; they do not have the capacity to disagree with those "employing" them; and so the ability to think clearly is a liability for them, from the perspective of the people who view these human beings as "resources."

 

You are absolutely correct in identifying the various absurdities and stupidities asserted by "industry experts" regarding database systems as the result of a systemic failure of education.  Perhaps this can't be characterized as a "failure," since it is intentional.  The purpose of school in this culture is to inculcate the idea that argumentum ad verecundiam is not only a correct type of reasoning, but that it is the only correct type of reasoning.

 

The expression, "the three 'R's" ... reading, writing, and (god help us) 'rithmetic" is frequently used to describe the most basic knowledge that a person must have in order to learn more.  But it seems to me that "how to think clearly" and "what you can say is true when you know certain other things" and "what kinds of statements seem to be true but are not" ... in other words, the use of the concepts of truth and falsity ... are far more basic than penmanship and memorizing times tables.  Reasoning skills should be taught, in a way that is suitable for children, as the very first things that children entering the educational system learn.  Without these skills, the only thing they will ever learn is that the imprinteur of authority is the only thing, finally, that distinguishes what is true from what is false.  I know that the basics of logic and critical thought can be taught to young children, because I taught my own children these things before they went to kindergarten.

 

I was pleased to see that you are writing about these issues.  Even if you were driven to express your ideas by exasperation, it is still good to see them expressed.  Not that anyone will understand them, much less learn from them, and, furthermore, you will probably be branded "unpatriotic" (who knows?  you might even join the ranks of terrorists) for your efforts.  But intellectual honesty demands no less, and it's heartening, not to say most unusual, to see someone hold himself to that standard.  Since your struggle in the face of questions that reflect an utter absence of understanding must seem like a futile one at times, I wanted to say that I'm personally glad that you're doing it.  Put me  on your "reasons to keep doing it" list.

 

P.S.  By the way, I completely agree with you about Celko.

 

 

From: Fabian Pascal

To: BM

 

Thanks for your comments. It is good to know that there are still a few people who understand and value knowledge and reason and it's about the only satisfaction we get from our effort. We do, however, also urge those who value it, to support it concretely and ensure its continuation via the purchase of our papers and, wherever possible, organization seminars in their area.

 

As to your comments, the situation is, I fear, worse than you think: the lack of proper education is not inadvertent, but a quite intentional aspect of this society. Those who own it understand intuitively and instinctively that the kind of education you are referring to is dangerous to their authority and ability to control and exploit the public, by selling them the large amount of crappola they produce and get rich on. Do you believe for one moment that the last so-called election would have stood, or the theocratic fascism into which the US is currently descending would have had any chance if the public knew how to reason and think critically?

 

 

Posted 11/26/04