Monday, March 8, 2010

Data Management vs. Computer Science

The title represents the most important choice in my life right now. Do I pick up another math course (math= -1sintheta) or do I take a computer science/programming to more fully understand how computers and technology work? Both have merits- data management is the application of statistics and probability- it's easy, fun math. I like that idea. But I have always secretly, or not-so-secretly, wanted to know more about computers. I pretend at nerd-osity, but I truthfully know very little about how computers actually work. Is it not insane, upon reflection, that 70% of north americans have a machine that can do anything under the sun, and yet less than 5% actually know how it works and why?

Those stats are completely made up and hypothetical- I assume it's about that ratio. Honestly, do you think that when levers or simple machines were first introduced, they became widely available before people actually understood them? Hardly. The same applies to cars- so many, so so so many are in existence. But it's considered special, important knowledge, to know how such an essential part of the north american life style can be repaired or improved.

This is the weirdest part of modern culture: using something without understanding. One could apply the same concept to food even- all those compounds and artificial chemicals? What happened to ingredients?

So yes, this is what I'm stressing over. And I have to decide for tomorrow- no big. Math vs. Computers- the ultimate choice of geeks everywhere.


***Edit: I chose Data. math wins always.

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