Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

To: AmishDude
"Mathematics is a sledge hammer. Most scientists would rather use the heel of their shoe because it is more convenient and the sledge hammer is way over on the other side of the room."

Math will always be the nail.

""Any idiot could have figured out..." is not a good descriptor of research from where I'm sitting."

Because something is easier it isn't good research, or isn't correct? BTW, proving something when you know all the premises are true isn't very hard. That's why it's done so well with computers that don't have to think.

"Perfect example: Room scheduling had another FUBAR this semester."

How does this argue against the fact that math is only useful when it is applied properly to the real world?

"That's low-concept thinking. You can give that to a trained simian. Or, equivalently, a graduate student. Any idiot could..."

It's just as hard, or harder, than proving a mathematical theorem. You have to actually know something outside of math. If all you know is mathematical theorems, you will NEVER figure out the biochemical pathway.

"Indeed, much like Iraq in the 90s."

Now you're just trolling. How did science rule in the Iraq of the 90's? What a nutty statement. You're losing your grip on reality. And history. Well, since neither is required when you're dealing solely with Mathematics, it's not a shock.
299 posted on 11/26/2005 11:48:41 AM PST by CarolinaGuitarman ("There is a grandeur in this view of life...")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 298 | View Replies ]


To: CarolinaGuitarman
Because something is easier it isn't good research, or isn't correct?

It can be correct, but it's easy. It makes the researcher nothing but a cog.

BTW, proving something when you know all the premises are true isn't very hard.

Then you do it. a^n+b^n=c^n has no natural number solutions when n>2. Go for it.

That's why it's done so well with computers that don't have to think.

That's pretty good. Suffice it to say, no, computers do not write proofs.

How does this argue against the fact that math is only useful when it is applied properly to the real world?

Like the mathematician to the scientist, I shall spell it out for you in terms you can understand: The original question, solved in the 60s, was one of pure math. The theory of partially ordered sets. The theorem gained attention mostly because of its elegant solution. It turns out to be wildly applicable -- after the fact.

Mathematicians live in the real world too. What we consider to be valuable does not differ much from what is actually practical, but we're free from having to solve the problem that's right in front of our faces, instead developing a solution that is practical, but only after the computing power developed later on. Again, from mathematics.

There's a great story in my abstract algebra book that, essentially says that one of the physics Nobel prizes in the 30s was awarded because these supergeniuses figured out -- wait for it -- matrices don't necessarily commute. That's it. An idea that'd been taught to undergraduates for decades and they got a Nobel prize for it.

It's just as hard, or harder, than proving a mathematical theorem.

So is carpeting my basement. It is. I wouldn't want to carpet my basement. But that's low-level thinking.

You have to actually know something outside of math.

There is nothing outside of math. It expands and grows with knowledge. It isn't some obscure branch of engineering with limitations.

If all you know is mathematical theorems, you will NEVER figure out the biochemical pathway.

How's that cure for psoriasis coming, there, chief? Yeah, I thought so.

How did science rule in the Iraq of the 90's? What a nutty statement.

*eye roll* Biologists. The rule of Science is much like the rule of Saddam Hussein.

Would you like me to explain knock knock jokes while I'm at it? And people wonder why mathematicians tend to go insane.

300 posted on 11/26/2005 12:12:12 PM PST by AmishDude (Your corporate slogan could be here! FReepmail me for my confiscatory rates.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 299 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson