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nightdove
- 16
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Some mathematicians note that their intellectual powers (at least where mathematics is concerned) seem to diminish with age, for instance Hardy. Was this griping a mere excuse for their lack of talent to begin with? Other prodigies appeared to have retained their mathematical fecundity into old age - Euler, Gauss and Newton, while others only bloomed in their fourties, for example, Weierstrass.
Does anyone here think that age-related declines in fluid intelligence, or 'g', affect mathematicians more than experts in other disciplines? More importantly, can a high level of 'g' (above the level needed for scientific productivity) be maintained into old age? Can experience really compensate for deficits in computational power and clarity of mind?
Does anyone here think that age-related declines in fluid intelligence, or 'g', affect mathematicians more than experts in other disciplines? More importantly, can a high level of 'g' (above the level needed for scientific productivity) be maintained into old age? Can experience really compensate for deficits in computational power and clarity of mind?
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