"The essence of mathematics is in universal methods for solving all problems in a particular class of problems. Use of “hacks”/”tricks” is a replacement of mathematics by cheap surrogates. Hacks/tricks can work at a certain level, but frequently obstruct students’ progress at the next level of learning of mathematics."
I would have to agree with the article.
I tried to learn the Trachtenberg system [1] a while back. I thought it would be a simple and fun thing to do. Maybe it's just my brain but I couldn't wrap my head around all the different rules for simple multiplication. Rather than speeding up my mental arithmatic it slowed it down considerably. In the end I gave up, feeling a little bit more stupid than when I started.