Why don't we emphasize the beauty of math much more than we do?

[Adesh]

Before biding my last farewell to Maths I want to ask something from learned and experienced men:-

1. Why everyone else in this world just care about solving problems, qualifying tough exams and publishing some papers ? Why no one ever tries to think about beauty of Mathematics , why no one sees that with some axioms we can achieve a lot of things?

2. Why I feel so depressed and defeated whenever i fail to solve a problem or get an answer wrong in examination ? Why do I feel so happy whenever I study Apostol’s Calculus or Feynman Lectures on Physics or Gilbert Strange’s Calculus ? Why do i enjoy Donald Sadoway’s lectures ?

3. Why do I admire A.L. Cauchy for his great explanation, or to be more clear his reproduction, of Calculus ? Why Frege and Russell are my ideals ? Although I like these people so much but I fear walking on their path, I feel insecure all the time, why ?

I request all the experienced and learned men to understand my problem. If my writing is not leading you to my heart for my core problem then please don’t just leave me at my condition rather it’s my request to do some treading in my heart.

Thank You.

 

[Mark44]

Before biding my last farewell to Maths I want to ask something from learned and experienced men:-

1. Why everyone else in this world just care about solving problems, qualifying tough exams and publishing some papers ? Why no one ever tries to think about beauty of Mathematics , why no one sees that with some axioms we can achieve a lot of things?

Mathematics, like art, "is in the eye of the beholder." Another way to say it is, "different strokes for different folks."
For many people, mathematics is a tool only useful in solving problems. Others appreciate the aesthetics of a simple but elegant proof of a theorem.

2. Why I feel so depressed and defeated whenever i fail to solve a problem or get an answer wrong in examination ? Why do I feel so happy whenever I study Apostol’s Calculus or Feynman Lectures on Physics or Gilbert Strange’s Calculus ? Why do i enjoy Donald Sadoway’s lectures ?

That would be Gilbert Strang...
Why you are happy in one circumstance and depressed in another has to do with your own personality. People are different -- some people like abstract art and some don't. So what?

3. Why do I admire A.L. Cauchy for his great explanation, or to be more clear his reproduction, of Calculus ? Why Frege and Russell are my ideals ? Although I like these people so much but I fear walking on their path, I feel insecure all the time, why ?

I can't answer why you feel insecure all the time. Maybe you should seek the opinion of a medical specialist, not an online forum.

I request all the experienced and learned men to understand my problem. If my writing is not leading you to my heart for my core problem then please don’t just leave me at my condition rather it’s my request to do some treading in my heart.

 

[Drakkith]

1. Why everyone else in this world just care about solving problems, qualifying tough exams and publishing some papers ? Why no one ever tries to think about beauty of Mathematics , why no one sees that with some axioms we can achieve a lot of things?

The former things are what most people are concerned with because that's what they need to do to financially support themselves and advance their education and career. Most people aren't concerned with the latter because it generally doesn't help them and they have more important things to deal with and be concerned about.

2. Why I feel so depressed and defeated whenever i fail to solve a problem or get an answer wrong in examination ?

Because failure sucks and some people feel it more intensely than others. Nothing new here. It happens to many people.

3. Why do I admire A.L. Cauchy for his great explanation, or to be more clear his reproduction, of Calculus ? Why Frege and Russell are my ideals ? Although I like these people so much but I fear walking on their path, I feel insecure all the time, why ?

No idea. Perhaps talk to a therapist or counselor about your issues?

I request all the experienced and learned men to understand my problem. If my writing is not leading you to my heart for my core problem then please don’t just leave me at my condition rather it’s my request to do some treading in my heart.

...what?

 

[S.G. Janssens]

Before biding my last farewell to Maths

Why this, or is it for dramatic effect?

Given the rest of your post and the age in your profile, I would actually recommend the opposite: Consider studying mathematics.

You will fail on many problems but get better along the way. You will find beauty in mathematical structure and problems (pure, applied, abstract, concrete). Perhaps you will become a "learned and experienced man" yourself, with the ability to distinguish between good and bad questions and answers.

 

[Adesh]

Mathematics, like art, "is in the eye of the beholder." Another way to say it is, "different strokes for different folks."
For many people, mathematics is a tool only useful in solving problems. Others appreciate the aesthetics of a simple but elegant proof of a theorem.
That would be Gilbert Strang...
Why you are happy in one circumstance and depressed in another has to do with your own personality. People are different -- some people like abstract art and some don't. So what?
I can't answer why you feel insecure all the time. Maybe you should seek the opinion of a medical specialist, not an online forum.

The former things are what most people are concerned with because that's what they need to do to financially support themselves and advance their education and career. Most people aren't concerned with the latter because it generally doesn't help them and they have more important things to deal with and be concerned about.
Because failure sucks and some people feel it more intensely than others. Nothing new here. It happens to many people.
No idea. Perhaps talk to a therapist or counselor about your issues?
...what?

Sir does it mean that there is no real problem with me? Your answer has really pulled me out of that defeated feeling.

 

[Adesh]

Why this, or is it for dramatic effect?

Given the rest of your post and the age in your profile, I would actually recommend the opposite: Consider studying mathematics.

You will fail on many problems but get better along the way. You will find beauty in mathematical structure and problems (pure, applied, abstract, concrete). Perhaps you will become a "learned and experienced man" yourself, with the ability to distinguish between good and bad questions and answers.

Sir you studied my earlier posts and my profile? I have never found anybody so kind to help a stranger like you have done.

 

[Adesh]

Mathematics, like art, "is in the eye of the beholder." Another way to say it is, "different strokes for different folks."
For many people, mathematics is a tool only useful in solving problems. Others appreciate the aesthetics of a simple but elegant proof of a theorem.
That would be Gilbert Strang...
Why you are happy in one circumstance and depressed in another has to do with your own personality. People are different -- some people like abstract art and some don't. So what?
I can't answer why you feel insecure all the time. Maybe you should seek the opinion of a medical specialist, not an online forum.

I feel insecure when I see people like Daniel Kane, Terence Tao and others of this kind. I feel insecure because world need these people and not people like me .

 

[Drakkith]

Sir does it mean that there is no real problem with me?

I don't know. I've never met you and I know almost nothing about you. All I can say is that the feelings you are having are very common.

I feel insecure when I see people like Daniel Kane, Terence Tao and others of this kind. I feel insecure because world need these people and not people like me .

The world doesn't need anyone, so don't get caught up in feeling like you're not needed while other people are.

 

[fbs7]

2. Why I feel so depressed and defeated whenever i fail to solve a problem or get an answer wrong in examination ? Why do I feel so happy whenever I study Apostol’s Calculus or Feynman Lectures on Physics or Gilbert Strange’s Calculus ? Why do i enjoy Donald Sadoway’s lectures ?

The way I see Mathematics has a lot in common with Arts - many artists are introspective and get a lot of pleasure in the process of creating, discovering and contemplating arts. So I guess a purely artistic mathematician don't really need anything else than a piece of paper, a pencil and a big stack of books, and will live happily ever after.

But then humans are competitive by nature and seek recognition and admiration, and have great satisfaction on winning - that way Mathematics have a lot in common with sports. But, for a competitive mathematician satisfaction carries the seeds of frustration, because one can't solve all problems, win all awards and be admired by everybody all the time, and the more that one wins, the more one gets dejected when one doesn't.

I reckon regular mathematicians are a mix of both types, and if so then I suspect simple joy and plain frustration are common feelings. Can't avoid frustration. Then you take that unhappiness, go to sleep unsatisfied, leave it stir overnight, transform it and next morning you say "To hell with that, I can do it!", and go for the fight again next day.

That way frustration carries in it the seeds of the next win.

 

[Adesh]

The way I see Mathematics has a lot in common with Arts - many artists are introspective and get a lot of pleasure in the process of creating, discovering and contemplating arts. So I guess a purely artistic mathematician don't really need anything else than a piece of paper, a pencil and a big stack of books, and will live happily ever after.

But then humans are competitive by nature and seek recognition and admiration, and have great satisfaction on winning - that way Mathematics have a lot in common with sports. But, for a competitive mathematician satisfaction carries the seeds of frustration, because one can't solve all problems, win all awards and be admired by everybody all the time, and the more that one wins, the more one gets dejected when one doesn't.

I reckon regular mathematicians are a mix of both types, and if so then I suspect simple joy and plain frustration are common feelings. Can't avoid frustration. Then you take that unhappiness, go to sleep unsatisfied, leave it stir overnight, transform it and next morning you say "To hell with that, I can do it!", and go for the fight again next day.

That way frustration carries in it the seeds of the next win.

This is one of the greatest answer. Thank you.

 

[WWGD]

As Dr Akkith :) has said, contemplating beauty is a luxury to most people. Their (our) attention and focus are taken up mostly with practical considerations like the need to make a living. Feeling defeated seems more a matter of perspective; maybe if you see understanding Math as an interesting long-term challenge , you won't feel as bad when you don't succeed in the short term.

 

[Adesh]

if you see understanding Math as an interesting long-term challenge , you won't feel as bad when you don't succeed in the short term.

is really a great line.

 

[archaic]

Why everyone else in this world just care about solving problems, qualifying tough exams and publishing some papers ?

Why I feel so depressed and defeated whenever i fail to solve a problem or get an answer wrong in examination ?

I see a melancholic type of insecurity coupled with a desire of being great, as those aforementioned great men were in their fields. The problem, however, is that, instead of learning to lift weights, you continue to just fake relish yourself in their work and comforting yourself in the fact that you seem to understand it.
I could become a lumberjack but then abandon before the first tree I fail to cut, then remember my neighbour who has been blessed with good genetics (your insecurity when it comes to intelligence isn't subtle at all), and sink deeper in my depression, but where's the fun in that?
The right mindset is to consider what you have been given and work on it. Your brain is but another muscle, and you should work it out. Who do you think is more commendable, the naturally gifted or the one who put on the effort?
I might be out of topic, sorry then

 

[Adesh]

I see a melancholic type of insecurity coupled with a desire of being great, as those aforementioned great men were in their fields. The problem, however, is that, instead of learning to lift weights, you continue to just fake relish yourself in their work and comforting yourself in the fact that you seem to understand it.
I could become a lumberjack but then abandon before the first tree I fail to cut, then remember my neighbour who has been blessed with good genetics (your insecurity when it comes to intelligence isn't subtle at all), and sink deeper in my depression, but where's the fun in that?
The right mindset is to consider what you have been given and work on it. Your brain is but another muscle, and you should work it out. Who do you think is more commendable, the naturally gifted or the one who put on the effort?
I might be out of topic, sorry then

Whether you believe it or not but you are the one whom I have been searching. Your answer contains some real life truths, it's because of this genetical people that some invisible force is hindering me to harness my ability. When all the scientiific institutes look for someone who could regularly publish some papers (no matter whether the idea is elegant or not) where should a man like me go for earning the livings?

 

[Mark44]

Your answer contains some real life truths, it's because of this genetical people that some invisible force is hindering me to harness my ability.

"because of this genetical people" - ?
The intellectual ability that you've inherited from your parents plays some role, but it's not the only factor.

When all the scientiific institutes look for someone who could regularly publish some papers (no matter whether the idea is elegant or not) where should a man like me go for earning the livings?

Certainly research universities and similar institutions are looking for someone who can publish papers on a regular basis, but there lots of universities whose focus is more on teaching than research.

I recognize that it's difficult for young people to figure out what they want to do, but some of what you write seems overly dramatic, as in this quote.

Before biding my last farewell to Maths

If you're as interested in mathematics as this thread seems to indicate, what's stopping you from studying it in college or learning on your own? In your profile you say you are 17, so you have you life in front of you. Keep in mind that Einstein was working in a patent office for several years before he received a PhD, as well as for a few years afterwards.

 

[Adesh]

The intellectual ability that you've inherited from your parents plays some role, but it's not the only factor.

It plays a very vital role, if someone learns addition, subtraction etc. at the age of two then it is very likely (almost sure) that they will be doing Calculus by the age of twelve and in the same sequence they will be working with some Professors or researchers on some unsolved problems because all they have learned till now is to learn the rules, they have not done any studies in how to make the rules. Surely, renowned institutes will offer their admissions to them, well it seems logical also, and therefore people like me gets thrashed out for no reason and people like me can no longer pursue our goals without getting wounded from this Natural partiality.

but some of what you write seems overly dramatic,

This thing has been mentioned so many times and now I think I should answer it. I'm not dramatic, I believe on people (in this forum), you see why wouldn't you believe and love people like you who sees my profile and gets my age just for giving a right advice. Why shouldn't I express my misery as much as possible when I have people (of this great forum)?

 

[Mark44]

It plays a very vital role, if someone learns addition, subtraction etc. at the age of two then it is very likely (almost sure) that they will be doing Calculus by the age of twelve and in the same sequence they will be working with some Professors or researchers on some unsolved problems because all they have learned till now is to learn the rules, they have not done any studies in how to make the rules.

I don't believe that this is necessarily true. As I said before, innate intelligence is important, but it's not the entire story. Do you have any evidence based on studies for your position? There are many students of high intelligence who were able to coast through elementary and high school, but who fail once they get to university level, because they didn't have to work at (study) during their earlier education. And by the same token, there are many students who aren't super geniuses, but who nevertheless go on to excel in their educations.

Surely, renowned institutes will offer their admissions to them, well it seems logical also, and therefore people like me gets thrashed out for no reason and people like me can no longer pursue our goals without getting wounded from this Natural partiality.

Well, so what? People are different, and have different natural abilities. If, for example, your goal is to become a world-class sumo wrestler, but you weigh only 98 pounds, then your goal is most likely unrealistic, and you should think strongly about finding a new goal.

This thing has been mentioned so many times and now I think I should answer it. I'm not dramatic, I believe on people (in this forum), you see why wouldn't you believe and love people like you who sees my profile and gets my age just for giving a right advice. Why shouldn't I express my misery as much as possible when I have people (of this great forum)?

Because it's generally true that people would rather hang around someone with a positive attitude than with someone who is always whining.

Thread closed.