Re: Are there any non-gifted scientists?!?!?

From: Ken Pledger (Ken.Pledger_at_vuw.ac.nz)
Date: 04/30/04 

Date: Fri, 30 Apr 2004 10:23:40 +1200

In article <5f6b0df.0404291215.24eaef73@posting.google.com>,
 bwvbabygotbach@netscape.net (Der Fugue) wrote:

> ....
> Math can be extremely fun when I tackle a hard problem or learn a
> difficult concept. But at least for me, there's a lot of brutal work
> necessary leading up to that. You cannot tell me that the classical
> pianist *loves* playing scales, but he still does it, does he not?
>
> My problem is that I often find myself playing scales so-to-speak all
> day and fail to make considerable progress. Math is a lot more fun if
> it comes easily to you, namely because you're spending a greater
> proportion of your time doing fun and interesting things than you are
> doing endless exercises and reading, re-reading, and re-reading yet
> again to make sense of something....

      Yes, practise your scales, but also play some light-hearted things
to enjoy (Schubert dances?). Perhaps right now you would enjoy reading
one or two of the very fine overview books which give real insight into
mathematics. My usual first suggestion is Richard Courant and Herbert
Robbins, "What is Mathematics?", or one of the little books by W.W.
Sawyer. Your response to those will tell you something about yourself
in the mathematical world.

      Your original message maintained an earnest conscience, but your
real love of mathematics and science kept glinting through the chinks.
Don't stifle it! Your articulateness suggests that you may like to
learn more about the arts as well, so by all means do that if you have
the time and interest. Part of the pleasure of mathematics is in seeing
its relationship with many other areas of human culture (in the broad
sense of culture, which includes engineering for example).

      Don't overlook mathematical statistics. Many people (including
physicists) have a very shallow idea of what it is. After you know
enough basic calculus, a good introduction to statistical theory could
be a real eye-opener in many ways.

      I shan't add any more to the multitude of good and bad replies,
partly because they already include the particularly wise comments of
"gswork".

            Ken Pledger.

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