Who is your Favorite Fictional Mathematician?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around participants sharing their favorite fictional mathematicians from various media, including films, television shows, and literature. The scope includes character analysis and personal preferences rather than a technical examination of mathematics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express a preference for Charlie Eppes from Numb3rs as their favorite fictional mathematician.
  • Others mention John Nash from A Beautiful Mind, with some acknowledging potential backlash for this choice.
  • Gwyneth Paltrow's character from Proof is highlighted for her attractiveness and her connection to Riemann's hypothesis.
  • A participant questions whether fictional mathematicians should be categorized as pure mathematicians rather than applied ones, suggesting a distinction in the types of mathematicians represented.
  • There is a discussion about the inclusion of characters like Data from Star Trek, with a suggestion that he could solve complex math problems quickly.
  • Some participants note the presence of characters who may not fit traditional definitions of mathematicians, such as cartoon characters or those with scientific backgrounds.
  • Trillian from The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy is also mentioned as a favorite, with a side conversation about the merits of the book versus the movie adaptation.
  • HAL from 2001: A Space Odyssey is brought up as a notable omission from the list of fictional mathematicians.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a variety of preferences and opinions regarding their favorite fictional mathematicians, with no consensus on a singular favorite or definition of what constitutes a mathematician in this context. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the classification of characters.

Contextual Notes

There are differing interpretations of what qualifies as a mathematician, leading to debates about the appropriateness of certain characters in the poll. Some participants express confusion or dissatisfaction with the choices presented.

BenVitale
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Who is your Favorite Fictional Mathematician?

http://polldaddy.com/poll/3141175/

(1) Will Hunting(Good Will Hunting)
(2) Charlie Eppes (Numb3rs)
(3) Dr Ian Malcom (Jurassic Park)
(4) The Calculator (Comic Book Villain)
(5) The Riddler/Edward Nigma (Batman)
(6) Raymond Babbit (Rain Man)
(7) Professor Moriarty (Sherlock Holmes)
(8) Professor Calculus (Tintin)
(9) Jack Bristow (Alias)
(10) Le Chiffre (Casino Royale)
(11) Dexter (Dexter’s Lab)
(12) Zane Donovan (Eureka)
(13) Eddie Lawson (Waterloo Road)
(14) Trillian Astra (The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy)
(15) Other

My favorite is Charlie Eppes (Numb3rs), what's yours?
 
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The fictional John Nash in a beautiful mind. yes people will hate me.
 
Gwyneth Paltrow from Proof, she's not only hot but also solved Riemann's hypothesis.
 
That brings up a good question did they have any in star trek? Or did computers solve all math problems by that time?

Hurm... Ya I'll go with data from star trek. The rest of the crew would be like we'll never figure out that "math" problem in time and he just spouts out the answer :)
 
Mu naught said:
The fictional John Nash in a beautiful mind. yes people will hate me.

Wouldn't "fictional mathematicians" describe pure mathematicians as opposed to applied ones?
 
If that's the case his whole list is out the window..
 
arrrgh, I voted for Charlie before I saw that you had Zane on that list :eek: Although to be fair, Zane is a theoretical physicist and computer programmer/hacker, not really a mathematician.
 
Pinu7 said:
Wouldn't "fictional mathematicians" describe pure mathematicians as opposed to applied ones?

Yet you don't have a problem with a cartoon character who has a secret lab in his parents house?

[PLAIN]http://raoworld.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/facepalm.jpg
 
Last edited by a moderator:
hmmm I guess I'd have to go with charlie
 
  • #10
Trillian.
 
  • #11
Should I try to read the book or watch the movie? I haven't yet sadly :(
 
  • #12
magpies said:
Should I try to read the book or watch the movie? I haven't yet sadly :(

Hitchhikers Guide? It is really quite good. If you like Monty Python figure Hitchhikers Guide as being much like if they had done sci fi. Douglas Adams (the author of the series) was actually a member of Monty Python for a while. The movie certainly was not nearly as good but that is just a normal expectation, it was fairly good in its own right I think.
 
  • #13
And where's HAL from Space Odyssey?
 
  • #14
Cuthbert Calculus (number 8) was more of a scientist/inventor. I suppose he had to use math when designing his shark-submarine, but seriously...

...what's with this poll? :sardonic: