Paper short abstract:

Funds of Computations: Learning the Mathematical and Social Knolwedge to Compete in the Market of Pink Gold is an analysis of the manner in which the offspring of Mexican market traders learn a wide array of computational and social skills imperative for the trade and sale of "pink gold" : shrimp.

Paper long abstract:

Many offspring of women seafood traders from childhood through young adulthood are introduced to a wide array of computational skills and measurements of great utility in the sale of "pink gold": the sale of shrimp and other fresh seafood in the markets of Northwest of Mexico. As well, early on they must learn a number of related social skils such as bartering, negotiating, compromising, and creating positive interactions with an array of persons that make up the entire network and composition of a complex market place. These include customers from many parts of Mexico and the world, visitors and tourists, wholesalers who provide the "pink gold" on credit, helpers who assist in the daily set up and the complexity of operational items like ice, plastic bags, and sundry other items. As well, some children are introduced to operate rotating savings and credit associations termed as "tandas" with the special roles as managers and collectors of the weekly sums for their operations. At almost every turn, children must learn the myraid computational operations that include not only the weighing and bagging of products but must gauge in negotiating exchanges with customers, wholesalers, and the public simultaneously calculating the cost-benefits to each transaction. Such an experience has prepared a number of off spring for later professional engagements in finance and banking as well as taking over from their mothers upon their retirement. These in fact are the consequence of learning of "Funds of Computations" of great complexity .