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Masterclass on mathematical thinking

terrytao.wordpress.com

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Re: Masterclass on mathematical thinking

#3
probably helps also to have a 1 in 100 million IQ too, but sounds like fun anyway. I am not sure how some of thee masterclasses are useful. Like the one by the astronaut . I don't plan on going into space anytime soon. Maybe Elon Musk would enjoy that one. No amount of videos will make even a typical PhD in math even as close to as good as him. It's 90% genes , 10% other factors.

Re: Masterclass on mathematical thinking

#4

Requires subscription to Masterclass to view the series. Not much info in the linked post - https://www.masterclass.com/classes/terence-tao-teaches-math...

there is a video about it. It's probably one of those things where it "teaches you how to think".

Re: Masterclass on mathematical thinking

#5

probably helps also to have a 1 in 100 million IQ too, but sounds like fun anyway. I am not sure how some of thee masterclasses are useful. Like the one by the astronaut . I don't plan on going into space anytime soon. Maybe Elon Musk would enjoy that one. No amount of videos will make even a typical PhD in math even as close to as good as him. It's 90% genes , 10% other factors.

> It's 90% genes , 10% other factors.

Do you have evidence to support these numbers, or the more general claim of genetic supremacy?

Re: Masterclass on mathematical thinking

#7
My first reaction to this blog post was kind of negative because Master Class is not free. I watched the teaser video and it's actually pretty inspiring. As someone who has done undergraduate Computer Science level Math, but completely forgotten most things about Math except for simple Algebra, I am going to try this.

The cost is €16/month which is cheaper than Netflix. I just cancelled my Spotify recently so this is affordable for me right now.

EDIT: The problem I see with Master Class as a subcription service is... if you watch Master classes on everything you are getting a broad education rather than a deep dive. I guess it's more for entertainment though.

Re: Masterclass on mathematical thinking

#8

probably helps also to have a 1 in 100 million IQ too, but sounds like fun anyway. I am not sure how some of thee masterclasses are useful. Like the one by the astronaut . I don't plan on going into space anytime soon. Maybe Elon Musk would enjoy that one. No amount of videos will make even a typical PhD in math even as close to as good as him. It's 90% genes , 10% other factors.

Is it really common opinion that TT is smart because of his genes? I would think having a helpful and engaged math-fluent father and lots of encouragement from an early age has way more to do with it. You can't seriously believe that an introduction into mathematical thinking from an early age and close advision from math-fluent parents is only 10% of the reason that TT is where he is today.

Re: Masterclass on mathematical thinking

#9
post #5

probably helps also to have a 1 in 100 million IQ too, but sounds like fun anyway. I am not sure how some of thee masterclasses are useful. Like the one by the astronaut . I don't plan on going into space anytime soon. Maybe Elon Musk would enjoy that one. No amount of videos will make even a typical PhD in math even as close to as good as him. It's 90% genes , 10% other factors.

> It's 90% genes , 10% other factors. Do you have evidence to support these numbers, or the more general claim of genetic supremacy?

He was a demonstrating adult level math ability even at the age of 5. Also, he was genius level at other subjects too. How would it not be genetic. Think of how hard parents push their kids in today's super-competitive economy and high-stakes higher ed system, how many turn out even close to as talented as him?

Re: Masterclass on mathematical thinking

#10
post #7

My first reaction to this blog post was kind of negative because Master Class is not free. I watched the teaser video and it's actually pretty inspiring. As someone who has done undergraduate Computer Science level Math, but completely forgotten most things about Math except for simple Algebra, I am going to try this. The cost is €16/month which is cheaper than Netflix. I just cancelled my Spotify recently so this is…

Seems like motivation porn more than education. Not that there's anything wrong with that, just knowing which one is which is useful.
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