Live data from Hacker News

How you eat corn on the cob predicts whether you're an analyst or algebraist

bentilly.blogspot.com

31–40 of 106 posts

Re: How you eat corn on the cob predicts whether you're an analyst or algebraist

#31
post #5

Apparently I'm screwed; I cut it off the cob in sheets. So I guess that means I don't care about efficiency, but need things super neat and orderly. I have always liked Prolog though...

Close to the logician from the article then? -- Kind of doing your own thing, not even in between the two techniques, just completely outside the box.

Re: How you eat corn on the cob predicts whether you're an analyst or algebraist

#32

I eat in both spirals and in rows. Sometimes sticking with one method all the way through, sometimes alternating along the way. Additionally, sometimes I take great care to cleanly peck each and every kernel out of its socket. Other times I mow through it like a wild animal, bits of corn strewn around my mouth. I have always loved math, and I always want to dive in deeper, but can never quite figure out exactly what…

Statistics?

Re: How you eat corn on the cob predicts whether you're an analyst or algebraist

#33
It is akin to choosing a breadth-first or a depth-first exploration (or corn consumption in this case) strategy.

Analysts want to try and explore depth first hopefully to get to the result while algebraists go in breadth first -- to leave no kernel un-eaten in a nice systematic way.

Re: How you eat corn on the cob predicts whether you're an analyst or algebraist

#34
Spirals, functional, ... Emacs. I haven't done such high math but analysis seems more like how I approach design problems (domains more unique, beauty and intuition for guidance).

I have noticed that when each kernel is firm and can be cleanly separated from the cob, I am more likely to do rows. When I do, though, I usually take a horizontal chunk at a time.

Re: How you eat corn on the cob predicts whether you're an analyst or algebraist

#35
post #5

Apparently I'm screwed; I cut it off the cob in sheets. So I guess that means I don't care about efficiency, but need things super neat and orderly. I have always liked Prolog though...

You prefer to make mathematical discoveries using automated theorem provers.

It occurs to me that these would make hilarious fortune cookies.

Re: How you eat corn on the cob predicts whether you're an analyst or algebraist

#36
post #33

It is akin to choosing a breadth-first or a depth-first exploration (or corn consumption in this case) strategy. Analysts want to try and explore depth first hopefully to get to the result while algebraists go in breadth first -- to leave no kernel un-eaten in a nice systematic way.

This made me come up with another potential[ly baseless] corollary: Those who eat their corn in rows = those who prefer algebra to analysis = those who try to reduce ethics into a Kantian formula. :D

Re: How you eat corn on the cob predicts whether you're an analyst or algebraist

#38
post #32

I eat in both spirals and in rows. Sometimes sticking with one method all the way through, sometimes alternating along the way. Additionally, sometimes I take great care to cleanly peck each and every kernel out of its socket. Other times I mow through it like a wild animal, bits of corn strewn around my mouth. I have always loved math, and I always want to dive in deeper, but can never quite figure out exactly what…

Statistics?

A large portion of my math courses in school were Statistics courses (as they were requirements). Spending 4 weeks learning how to use R every single class got old quick. The actual meat of the topics could have been more interesting with a proper approach.

My favorite topics that I have messed with so far are probably Number Theory and Logic. Pointers to resources or book recommendations welcome.

Post reply on HN