I've never seriously considered subscribing to Masterclass, but this has gotten the gears turning in my head a little. So I'm curious: does anyone here subscribe, and could you comment on whether or not you feel like it's worthwhile, given the available content?
Masterclass on mathematical thinking
21–30 of 137 posts
Re: Masterclass on mathematical thinking
#22Earlier quoted context omitted.
> It's 90% genes , 10% other factors. Do you have evidence to support these numbers, or the more general claim of genetic supremacy?
Genes must have something to do with it. Take the case of Srinivasa Ramanujan No formal training in math. Made insane contributions to mathematics including solving "unsolvable" problems. > A child prodigy by age 11, he had exhausted the mathematical knowledge of two college students who were lodgers at his home. He was later lent a book written by S. L. Loney on advanced trigonometry.[18][19] He mastered this by the…
People will delay a dental procedure but they will not delay making their kids #1.
Re: Masterclass on mathematical thinking
#23Earlier quoted context omitted.
> 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?
Not sure why you think the split is so tilted towards genetics. If TT had been born in some 3rd world country with poor nutrition and crappy education system, how would he be exposed to all the higher level math topics? It's clear you need that exposure, you aren't just going to know things about what mathematicians have thought about and consider important without coming into contact with some.
Re: Masterclass on mathematical thinking
#24Earlier quoted context omitted.
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?
Not sure why you think the split is so tilted towards genetics. If TT had been born in some 3rd world country with poor nutrition and crappy education system, how would he be exposed to all the higher level math topics? It's clear you need that exposure, you aren't just going to know things about what mathematicians have thought about and consider important without coming into contact with some.
We have a sample size of 600 + million ppl between the US and Western Europe with full access to food, electricity, and other modern necessities, not third world countries. How many are as smart as him.
Re: Masterclass on mathematical thinking
#25I've never seriously considered subscribing to Masterclass, but this has gotten the gears turning in my head a little. So I'm curious: does anyone here subscribe, and could you comment on whether or not you feel like it's worthwhile, given the available content?
I am a subscriber.
It's totally worthwhile, but it depends on your interests.
I originally subbed, for all things, to see Penn & Teller teach the basics of magic. I've since moved on to learning about cooking and how movies are made from the best in the business.
You can get a feel for what is offered here: https://www.masterclass.com/categories
I'm not affiliated with them in any way.
Re: Masterclass on mathematical thinking
#26Earlier quoted context omitted.
Not sure why you think the split is so tilted towards genetics. If TT had been born in some 3rd world country with poor nutrition and crappy education system, how would he be exposed to all the higher level math topics? It's clear you need that exposure, you aren't just going to know things about what mathematicians have thought about and consider important without coming into contact with some.
We have a sample size of 600 + million ppl between the US and Western Europe with full access to food, electricity, and other modern necessities, not third world countries. How many are as smart as him.
And how many of them were able to dust up a person who could explain to them not only how algebra works, but why one should study it? At the age where they can actually do it and not get bored?
Math education comes up here regularly, and we have lots of smart math people here, but the story is often that some commentator was simply never shown anything interesting in their whole schooling. I'd never have given it much thought were it not for one particular math teacher who put a lot of effort into me and a few other interested kids. I still keep in touch with him.
Re: Masterclass on mathematical thinking
#27Watching the trailer, makes me think that people who may enjoy this series will also enjoy a book called "Aha" by Martin Gardner (from probably 40 years ago)[0]. It has a lot of amusingly illustrated insight problems that show you how thinking about a problem differently simplifies getting to the answer a lot. It's probably aimed at advanced teenagers, but in fact the lessons there are some that even many adults prob…
Them russian librarians have well furnished shelves.
Re: Masterclass on mathematical thinking
#28My 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…
Same for me, I also appreciated that he responded to the question on his blog of why it is paid - production value / editing / professional equipment etc... it makes sense.
Re: Masterclass on mathematical thinking
#29Earlier quoted context omitted.
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.
From the wiki: > Tao exhibited extraordinary mathematical abilities from an early age, attending university-level mathematics courses at the age of 9. He is one of only two children in the history of the Johns Hopkins' Study of Exceptional Talent program to have achieved a score of 700 or greater on the SAT math section while just eight years old; Tao scored a 760 I think genetics have more to do with this level of a…
There's a video of his childhood submissions (~10yo) and it didn't feel he was an alien. Now maybe his real strength showed up later in life.
Re: Masterclass on mathematical thinking
#30I've never seriously considered subscribing to Masterclass, but this has gotten the gears turning in my head a little. So I'm curious: does anyone here subscribe, and could you comment on whether or not you feel like it's worthwhile, given the available content?
I am a subscriber. It's totally worthwhile, but it depends on your interests. I originally subbed, for all things, to see Penn & Teller teach the basics of magic. I've since moved on to learning about cooking and how movies are made from the best in the business. You can get a feel for what is offered here: https://www.masterclass.com/categories I'm not affiliated with them in any way.
I also liked The Art of Negotation by Chris Voss, there's some tips that can be useful for salary negotations, for example.