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Why do we need human mathematicians anymore?

293 points · 384 comments · auggierose

  1. strideashort · · focus · HN ↗
    We need to pivot math towards intuition and accessibility.

    Math has built a gated, inaccessible institution which - by design or not - served as a moat.

    I believe math has little to do with mathematical notation - intuition is much more important. One can have intuition but not be able to “read math” - much as many musicians don’t “read music”.

    Reading math however does not guarantee ideas or intuition. And those are what math needs.

    1. elendilm · · focus · HN ↗
      You would be surprised at the number of people (who study math formally) who just memorize proofs and having no clue what it all fundamentally is about.
      1. criddell · · focus · HN ↗
        Shut up and calculate.
        1. elendilm · · focus · HN ↗
          No :). There are many who want to understand.
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