Is Non-Linear Algebra the Key to Solving Homelessness?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a video featuring a homeless individual discussing a concept referred to as "non-linear algebra" and its potential implications for understanding mathematics and possibly addressing homelessness. Participants express varying levels of engagement with the video's content, questioning its validity and presentation.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express skepticism about the video's claims, suggesting that the mathematical ideas presented are flawed or poorly articulated.
  • Others argue that while the presentation lacks rigor, the underlying ideas could be interesting if explored further, particularly in the context of graph theory.
  • A few participants note that the claim of altering mathematical ideas by changing the interpretation of numbers and operators lacks practical value.
  • Concerns are raised about the validity of specific mathematical statements made in the video, such as the assertion that 3x1 equals 2 + 3.
  • Some participants suggest that the speaker may be attempting to explain complex concepts in a way that is accessible to a lay audience, despite inaccuracies.
  • There are references to the speaker's other claims, such as "implosive gravity," which further contribute to skepticism about his credibility.
  • Participants discuss the notion of commutativity in mathematics and how it relates to the speaker's arguments, with some suggesting that there are indeed forms of mathematics that involve directionality.
  • Several comments reflect a mix of humor and frustration regarding the video's content and the speaker's credibility.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally do not agree on the validity of the claims made in the video. There are multiple competing views regarding the interpretation of the speaker's ideas, with some finding them intriguing and others dismissing them as nonsensical.

Contextual Notes

Limitations in the discussion include a lack of clarity on the definitions of terms used by the speaker and unresolved questions about the mathematical principles he references. The discussion also reflects a range of personal reactions to the video's presentation style.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in unconventional mathematical ideas, debates on the validity of alternative approaches to mathematics, or discussions surrounding the intersection of social issues and mathematical concepts may find this thread engaging.

phildoe
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lol if you have time for a 6minute video watch this homeless guy is talking about suposed non-linear algebra. I couldn't follow ...

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Tc-kjz9s2IA&mode=related&search=

If anyone can follow this to me the numbers just don't seem to add up please explain...
 
Mathematics news on Phys.org
What a waste of time.
 
how can you resist the charm of a hobo.
 
I want 5 minutes of my life back.

I've seen better hobos.
 
Werg22 said:
What a waste of time.

Not really, it just isn't presented in a decent format or logical way. I don't think it would be difficult to add rigor to what he is describing though. Look at the top comment about graphs, that is pretty much what he is doing, his comments about math though are rather unfounded.
 
His argument is that mathematics is flawed because we can alter the mathematical ideas expressed through the physical by changing the way we read numbers and operators. What value does that have? We use a certain convention of symbols and within that convention we are able to express ideas. 1+1+1 means "one unit that is put together with another unit and then another unit". This idea is universal and the convention allows anyone to translate those 5 symbols into an idea. He doesn't seem to understand that; for him, mathematics is about traveling through numbers and operators in space. If we wants the placement in triangle to mean the coalition of 4 sets of units, he must specify so, making it a convention just like the one we normally use.
 
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the point at ~3.00 is ridiculous, 3x1 = 2 + 3? w/e kind of algebra he's invented its definitely not the regular kind.
 
Werg22 said:
His argument is that mathematics is flawed because we can alter the mathematical ideas expressed through the physical by changing the way we read numbers and operators. What value does that have? We use a certain convention of symbols and within that convention we are able to express ideas. 1+1+1 means "one unit that is put together with another unit and then another unit". This idea is universal and the convention allows anyone to translate those 5 symbols into an idea. He doesn't seem to understand that; for him, mathematics is about traveling through numbers and operators in space. If we wants the placement in triangle to mean the coalition of 4 sets of units, he must specify so, making it a convention just like the one we normally use.

I'm certainly not arguing that this has any validity in regards to the way we traditionally do mathematics, but it is an interesting idea to think about it more in the context of graph theory or the like. But the point about the order in which we read a string of operators and operands(is that the right word) is actually rather imporant, the reason we can add in both directions( ie 1+2 is the same as 2+1) is because addition is a commutative operation, not all operations are commutative, however, take subtraction as an example. I won't deny his presentation is rather poor, but I think it would be an interesting topic to research.


ice109 said:
the point at ~3.00 is ridiculous, 3x1 = 2 + 3? w/e kind of algebra he's invented its definitely not the regular kind.

I will give you this, but it does point out that even if what he is presenting could be valid with some added rigor, his way of presenting it is very poor.
 
hahah doubt to many will but if you havnt got enough of this guy he also claims to have discovered implosive gravity... and all along we were giving credit to that clown Eienstien. damn
 
  • #11
this guy is all sorts of crazy, watch the other videos him.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6922175879233663406&hl=en

that one is good
 
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  • #12
"Until now everyone has always told you direction has nothing to do with mathematics, It has to do with physics". Well think about matrices mate. Mathematicians have always told my that they aren't commutative. And I'm quite sure we do have forms of what he calls "planar and volumic" mathematics. He seems like he knows something about mathematics, so perhaps he is just trying to explain a more complex concept to laymen, by making some things incorrect..
 
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  • #13
Gib Z said:
"Until now everyone has always told you direction has nothing to do with mathematics, It has to do with physics". Well think about matrices mate. Mathematicians have always told my that they aren't commutative. And I'm quite sure we do have forms of what he calls "planar and volumic" mathematics. He seems like he knows something about mathematics, so perhaps he is just trying to explain a more complex concept to laymen, by making some things incorrect..

That could really be said of any crackpot.

Also, view the video from post 11 before you say he isn't a nut.
 
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  • #14
Gib Z said:
"Until now everyone has always told you direction has nothing to do with mathematics, It has to do with physics". Well think about matrices mate. Mathematicians have always told my that they aren't commutative. And I'm quite sure we do have forms of what he calls "planar and volumic" mathematics. He seems like he knows something about mathematics, so perhaps he is just trying to explain a more complex concept to laymen, by making some things incorrect..

no he sounds like any other crackpot with a personal language, peppered with real buzzwords, and delusions of grandeur
 
  • #15
ice109 said:
this guy is all sorts of crazy, watch the other videos him.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6922175879233663406&hl=en

that one is good

:smile: :smile: :smile:

Uh oh, =.="

I was tricked by his Mathematical thingy. :cry: I thought, well, this is okay, he may have an idea. But... well, must admit that I was seriously wrong. >"<

I am not patient enough to watch his 11-minute video above, describing a 9 dimensional space :eek:.
 
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  • #16
VietDao29 said:
:smile: :smile: :smile:

Uh oh, =.="

I was tricked by his Mathematical thingy. :cry: I thought, well, this is okay, he may have an idea. But... well, must admit that I was seriously wrong. >"<

I am not patient enough to watch his 11-minute video above, describing a 9 dimensional space :eek:.

dude you really should watch it, the 9th dimension is love and then it becomes god.
 
  • #17
d_leet said:
I won't deny his presentation is rather poor, but I think it would be an interesting topic to research.

I would hate to have to write THAT grant application.
 
  • #18
ice109 said:
dude you really should watch it, the 9th dimension is love and then it becomes god.

Haha yea, I loved that part of the movie:smile:
 
  • #19
Im capped so it would take me all day to view that :( I am Sure the title gives away enough for me to take any flattering comments back =]
 
  • #20
This guy is a [censored] moron.
 
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  • #21
The point of this forum is not to make fun of people. And it is definitely not to seek out people to make fun of. Do not do this again. :mad:
 
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