Math, Hollywood & God: Unravelling the Mystery

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Discussion Overview

The discussion explores the relationship between mathematics, religion, and their portrayal in Hollywood films. Participants examine why these themes are prevalent in movies and the historical context of linking math with divine concepts. The conversation touches on cultural perceptions and the impact of media on public understanding of these subjects.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question why Hollywood connects math to religious themes, suggesting it may be a tactic to engage audiences who lack interest in mathematics.
  • Others note that mainstream media often highlights historical figures in mathematics who have religious connections, implying a cultural tendency to associate math with divine inspiration.
  • One participant argues that the link between math and the divine has existed throughout history, citing examples from various religions and the Pythagoreans' beliefs about numbers.
  • Another viewpoint suggests that the historical relationship between religion and science has been complex, with some arguing that religion has contributed to advancements in mathematics and science.
  • Some participants express skepticism about the portrayal of these themes in modern media, suggesting that there is a push towards linking math with religion despite a contemporary trend against such associations among scientists.
  • Concerns are raised about the potential manipulation of religious themes in media for various agendas, including political ones, with references to specific historical contexts and figures.
  • There is a discussion about the term "God Particle" and its reception among physicists, indicating a broader concern about the media's role in shaping public perception of scientific concepts.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views on the relationship between math, religion, and media, with no clear consensus. Some agree on the historical connections between these themes, while others dispute the relevance of Hollywood's portrayal and the motivations behind it.

Contextual Notes

Participants acknowledge the complexity of the relationship between religion and science, noting that historical progress in these fields has often been influenced by the prevailing cultural and religious zeitgeist. There are also references to specific examples and figures that illustrate these points, but the discussion remains open-ended regarding the implications of these connections.

alsharmoot
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why in Hollywood they link math to god? or some weird mystery? is it because if they didn't people will friggin fall asleep? I watched movies like pi by Darren aronofsky also the man who knew infinity ( I know it is based on true story) yet its all so religious!
 
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alsharmoot said:
why in Hollywood they link math to god? or some weird mystery? is it because if they didn't people will friggin fall asleep? I watched movies like pi by Darren aronofsky also the man who knew infinity ( I know it is based on true story) yet its all so religious!
They have ZERO concern for actual science/math so why should they not do that if they think it will make the movie good? Probably 90% of the people in the country have no interest in math beyond balancing their checkbook.
 
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that is true, but even in reality I noticed for example in the mainstream media in general when they talk about math, they always bring up individuals with similar views, you know guys like Newton, Godel, ramanujan (which the movie was about him) and many others...
 
It's not just Hollywood. Math and the divine have always been linked throughout the ages. Numbers have been ascribed different divine meanings. For example, in christianity we have 3, 7, 13, 666 (or 616). Every religion has linked numbers with the divine, some go more into it than others. The Pythagoreans went really far into it.

It's not really surprising. The divine is often seen to be perfect. Nothing gives as much perfection in our real world as mathematics. The rules seem universal and eternal. Establishing a link between the two is to be expected.

Many people and even famous scientists have gone as far to say that entire science is inspired by the divine. It's not a popular view anymore, but throughout history you saw it a lot.
 
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micromass said:
It's not just Hollywood. Math and the divine have always been linked throughout the ages. Numbers have been ascribed different divine meanings. For example, in christianity we have 3, 7, 13, 666 (or 616). Every religion has linked numbers with the divine, some go more into it than others. The Pythagoreans went really far into it.

It's not really surprising. The divine is often seen to be perfect. Nothing gives as much perfection in our real world as mathematics. The rules seem universal and eternal. Establishing a link between the two is to be expected.

Many people and even famous scientists have gone as far to say that entire science is inspired by the divine. It's not a popular view anymore, but throughout history you saw it a lot.
I think in the past the marriage between religion and "anything" else was actually an evil idea, you know to gain some sort of (authority) over others, and control them, for example in Islam they told people in their left hand palm they will see the number 81 written in Arabic, the right palm the number 18, add them together and it gives them 99, now that is the total number of names of Allah in Quran! I get this from the priests and state figures wants to do that, I also understand that many people want to believe in it too, as Nietzsche once said "sometimes people don't want to hear the truth because they don't want their illusions destroyed" anyways as you said it is not fashionable for scientists today to relate math with religion, however I see a certain push from the media toward that direction.
 
alsharmoot said:
I think in the past the marriage between religion and "anything" else was actually an evil idea,

It's sad that you see things this way, since religion did cause quite some progress in both math and science, even though nowadays they only focus on the negative relationship between the two.
 
micromass said:
It's sad that you see things this way, since religion did cause quite some progress in both math and science, even though nowadays they only focus on the negative relationship between the two.
I believe "people" made progress during whatever zeitgeist they were at, it could be religion, nationalism, money or whatever.
 
alsharmoot said:
I believe "people" made progress during whatever zeitgeist they were at, it could be religion, nationalism, money or whatever.

And many scientists were devout religious people and indicated doing science to understand the divine. I don't get what you're arguing against. So your OP is inaccurate since hollywood wasn't the one who decided to mix religion and science. It happened way before that.
 
micromass said:
And many scientists were devout religious people and indicated doing science to understand the divine. I don't get what you're arguing against. So your OP is inaccurate since hollywood wasn't the one who decided to mix religion and science. It happened way before that.

Of course Hollywood wasn't the one, Hollywood came after religion ok? And it is a powerful tool indeed and it's tendencies toward that mix is rather obvious, specially the last 10 years in Hollywood there was a heavy investment in religious movies (the same pi director Darren Aronofsky did Noah in 2014)
 
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alsharmoot said:
specially the last 10 years in Hollywood there was a heavy investment in religious movies/QUOTE]

I haven't really noticed.
 
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This brings to mind "The God Particle" and all the hype fueled by the media. I think I read somewhere that actual physicists do not like that nickname very much.
 
  • #12
Hypercube said:
This brings to mind "The God Particle" and all the hype fueled by the media. I think I read somewhere that actual physicists do not like that nickname very much.
exactly, and the list is huge, any sinister institution will benefit a lot when they bring "god" was it for arm sales, election or simply brainwashing. and sadly a lot of people begging for it too and/or being socially engineered towards that mentality. I am not Bernie sanders supporter (I loathe all politicians) but in 2016 top DNC officials wanted to use sanders religious beliefs against him (that he was an atheist and not religious, and America is not ready for an atheist president) I am like wow! what is this 14 century!
 

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