Meaningful Rage Bait Mamdani wants Arabic numerals in schools - X-users fall away from the faith

Rage Bait refers to internet content that is specifically designed to agitate or outrage in order to generate reach. In this case, however, the pseudo-excitement is deeply disturbing - and hilarious at the same time. It's about Zohran Mamdani, who wants to enforce Arabic numerals in all New York elementary school.

The original post by Brian Krassenstein is viewed more than 17.2 million times on X within two days. "Breaking [news]", begins the message in bold print, which sets many on edge.

Because: "Zohran Mamdani is expected to require ALL New York primary school students to learn Arabic numerals." And further: "As a Jewish American, I still support this 100 percent."

Many of the commenters realize that Arabic numerals are the ones we use every day.

Some - especially Indians - emphasize that the number notation was developed in India, even though it is based on the work of Arab scholars.

And quite a few fall for the joke.

"This is ridiculous," writes one X user about the Arabic numbers. "Learning another language should be voluntary, not a requirement." Another commenter interjects that you might as well learn Indian or Thai numbers.

Beth groans: "It's shocking that anyone could agree to this requirement." And MAGA Elvis says: "Holy sh***. "**

This conversation is great: "No, they should go to the Middle East for this," writes one user firmly. Brian Krassenstein responds by playing innocent: "They could, but why would they do that when you can learn it here?"

Another user goes one better and asks the X-AI Grok how you can post something so stupid - and not even delete it later.

This gentleman is not at all surprised - because Mamdani "doesn't consider himself an American and his loyalties lie elsewhere". He is also convinced: "Teaching Arabic numerals in elementary school does nothing to promote American culture and ideals and should therefore not be done."

Then there are those commentators who are angry with the bearer of the supposedly bad news. "How about teaching kids to read and do math first, you moron," one user hurls at Krassenstein - in a typically gruff X tone.

"Of course [you support Mamdani's demand], even though Muslims would love to destroy Israel," another is stunned. And things get really juicy with a user who calls himself Concerned dad of all people - and clearly misunderstands the concept of numbers.

"America has one main language, and that's English," the Concerned Dad knows. "Our public schools have a responsibility to teach our children in English. FOH [F* Outta Here] with this sh**** - you're a traitor to your country, Brian. "**

Krassenstein's post about Arabic numerals raises questions. "Why do our children have to learn this?" complains one. Another adds that the little ones can barely read.

"We need this, why?" he asks. Brian Krassenstein answers dryly: "Because it's important for their education."

Another user recognizes that with Arabic numerals, Islam is also finding its way into classrooms. For this reason, "all religions should be taught and allowed in schools".

Krassenstein's post also encourages people to jump on the bandwagon. "Damn, next he'll be making pupils use the Gregorian calendar," it says.

"That's so stupid," rages this X user. "What's next, the fucking Latin alphabet?"

A comedy wreath must be tied to this X-user: "Just wait until they get to high school and they're taught the ways of the terrorist organization Al-Gebra."

Oddly, the X channel Polymarket, which actually focuses on financial topics, picks up on the "news". "It gets worse," jokes one user, referring to the fear many right-wingers have of the trans community: "He says they have to start with non-binary numbers."

And what would our world actually look like without Arabic numerals?

This user alludes to a survey from 2019 in which "LVI percent" of participants spoke out against Arabic numerals.

In other words, 56 percent.

The typical X charm of this user describes Brian Krassenstein's post quite well: "I usually hate seeing your posts, but rage baiting people who don't know that the numbers we use are Arabic is extremely funny."

And as befits X, there's also a rant at the end.