Discussion
Look, if you've never read Eric Bell's _Men of Mathematics_, you simply must.
Not because it is true. It is very not true.
It's a collection of nonsense, scurrilous gossip, and utter bullshit.
Even so, it has merit.
I know (and love) my peeps, and they're all set to fire away here.
What, possibly, could be the merit of this work of fiction masquerading as history?!? Have you finally lost the very small part left of your mind, GeePaw?
@GeePawHill Pretty sure we answered that final question in the affirmative a long time ago, my friend.
@msbellows I get that a lot.
@GeePawHill It's why we like you.
Cuz when you read it, you will begin to understand mathematics as a human endeavor, rather than a list of sequential propositions a la Euclid.
And, yeah, you'll trace down the rather silly rumors Bell depicts as fact.
But at that point, you're not thinking of mathematics as inscribed tablets you must memorize.
You're thinking of people, in time, in place, making guesses, trying things out, thinking hard, and creating a most wonderful art.
@GeePawHill https://mastodon.social/@fullywoolly/116984003362341813 reminds me of this comic... Didn't feel like redoing alt text
Install bonfire.cafe
Get the full app experience
