Beyond a joke. Literally.

Quite a popular joke that keeps being pushed in the faces of mathematics teachers is the following comment on the evolution of British mathematics teaching:

1. Teaching Maths In 1970
A logger sells a truckload of timber for £100.
His cost of production is 4/5 of the price.
What is his profit?

2. Teaching Maths In 1980
A logger sells a truckload of timber for £100.
His cost of production is 4/5 of the price, or £80.
What is his profit?

3. Teaching Maths In 1990
A logger sells a truckload of timber for £100.
His cost of production is £80.
Did he make a profit?

4. Teaching Maths In 2000
A logger sells a truckload of timber for £100.
His cost of production is £80 and his profit is £20.
Your assignment: Underline the number 20.

5. Teaching Maths In 2008
A logger cuts down a beautiful forest because he is selfish and
inconsiderate and cares nothing for the habitat of animals or the
preservation of our woodlands.
He does this so he can make a profit of £20.
What do you think of this way of making a living?
Topic for class participation after answering the question: How did the birds and squirrels feel as the logger cut down their homes? (There are no wrong answers. )

We can all have a laugh at this, safe in the knowledge that this is hyperbole, and that although worried at the direction, we can be confident it won't get this bad. Or so I thought, until this question from my top set Year 8 was pointed out to me,

A penguin is standing on an iceberg that is melting because of global warning. It now has a diameter of 6m.
(a) Calculate the area for the penguin to stand on.
(b) Where else could the penguin go to live?

Part (b) I'm sure will be enough for people to think that I've just pushed the joke that little bit beyond believability, but alas not, it really was there. I'm trying to assess whether that was better or worse than the question from a Year 7 textbook that, after a question on calculating the number of loyalty card points could be earned on purchase of bananas, genuinely asked the question,

(c) Do you like bananas?

I can't think why so many maths teachers lose confidence in the system...