Thread

How do we prevent mathemathics from devolving into the Medieval Era of secrecy?

158 points · 146 comments · jjgreen

jan_m_savage · 1789704911 · focus · HN ↗
Talking about frontier mathematics? Even the common for-mere-mortals version of mathematics is totally inaccessible to most people. Even to those who want to really learn it.
Take a good look at the textbooks that teach mathematics and tell me I am wrong.
1. tintor · 1789705798 · focus · HN ↗
  There are many amazing Youtube channels that explain complex math well, for example <a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/3blue1brown" rel="nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/c/3blue1brown
  1. jjgreen · 1789720354 · focus · HN ↗
    ... and quaternions?
  2. jan_m_savage · 1789734718 · focus · HN ↗
    I am well aware of all the sites and YT, what you probably thought I live in a cave? I taught mathematics at Tsinghua for over a decade, so I know what I'm talking about.
    3B1Br is great but only for a 'hobbyist'. There's no systematic progression to teach from A to Z. Also, you can't learn mathematics just by watching videos.
2. nxpnsv · 1789706641 · focus · HN ↗
  The books exist and are possible to understand. They teach maths at most universities. You should try it, learning is fun.
  1. jan_m_savage · 1789728907 · focus · HN ↗
    please have a look at my profile before making silly comments. :)
    nxpnsv · 1789759295 · focus · HN ↗
    I don't see how your profile possibly could make your point valid.
    jan_m_savage · 1789781572 · focus · HN ↗
    OK.
3. Paracompact · 1789708415 · focus · HN ↗
  If there is any barrier, it is not intentional, I assure you. Math is just hard.
  1. jan_m_savage · 1789734622 · focus · HN ↗
    It is but not so hard as it appears now.
    Part of the difficulty is artificial.
    Whether intentional or not, it's there. I have yet to see a textbook that really taught learners as they deserve to be taught. Some are good in some aspects, but a perfect textbook does not exist.
    "Here are some theorems and some proofs and here are some ideas left as exercise to the student". smh.
4. mitxela · 1789730270 · focus · HN ↗
  Try university courses rather than books.
  1. jan_m_savage · 1789734768 · focus · HN ↗
    Yeah like that didn't occur to me. LOL.

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