--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I don't care that much about rote…" description: "\"I don't care that much about rote memorization. An old boyfriend of mine used to get into lacerating arguments with his parents over facts, and I used ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6c3/susan-orlean-2207_about_i-don-t-care-that-much-about-rote-memori_688886.jpg" --- # I don't care that much about rote memorization. An old… ![“I don't care that much about rote memorization. An old boyfriend of mine used to get into lacerating arguments with his parents over facts, and I used to watch on in mute astonishment. How could anyone actually argue about something that could be looked up?” quote by Susan Orlean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6c3/susan-orlean-2207_about_i-don-t-care-that-much-about-rote-memori_688886.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6c3/susan-orlean-2207_about_i-don-t-care-that-much-about-rote-memori_688886.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6c3/susan-orlean-2207_about_i-don-t-care-that-much-about-rote-memori_688886.jpg) > “I don't care that much about rote memorization. An old boyfriend of mine used to get into lacerating arguments with his parents over facts, and I used to watch on in mute astonishment. How could anyone actually argue about something that could be looked up?” [Susan Orlean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-orlean/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker dismisses rote memorization, valuing critical thinking over factual disputes that can be easily verified online. **In simple terms:** Memorizing facts is less important than understanding concepts. Key Takeaway Prioritize learning how to think, not just what to think. Themes education critical thinking information overload Mood thoughtful analytical Type reflective philosophical When to use this quote - school debates - online research - academic writing - parent‑child discussions Key Concepts epistemology digital age learning strategies Questions to Reflect On - How do you evaluate information beyond its factual accuracy? - What skills replace memorization in modern learning? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on facts can ignore deeper understanding. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Argument](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/argument/) [Astonishment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/astonishment/) [Care](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/care/) [Facts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/facts/) [Memorization](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/memorization/) [Old boyfriend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/old-boyfriend/) [Parenting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parenting/) [Parents](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parents/) [Rote](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rote/) ## Related quotes > [Americans have been good at improvising for a long time, but in the last few decades, we have gotten very sloppy about the rote…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-medina/americans-have-been-good-at-improvising-for-a-long-time-but-in-the/) [John Medina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-medina/) > [There’s no winning arguments with your parents, so why get all pumped up over them? It is way better to dive down and get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendelin-van-draanen/there-s-no-winning-arguments-with-your-parents-so-why-get-all-pumped/) [Wendelin Van Draanen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendelin-van-draanen/) > [The arguments about parents being too permissive and kids growing up without superegos are not based on fact. Our research tells us that the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-kohlberg/the-arguments-about-parents-being-too-permissive-and-kids-growing-up/) [Lawrence Kohlberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-kohlberg/) > [There's no winning arguments with your parents](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendelin-van-draanen/there-s-no-winning-arguments-with-your-parents/) [Wendelin Van Draanen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendelin-van-draanen/) > [I think there's so much negative influence on children in school settings. It becomes learning by rote to pass a test. 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