News for hackers. Stuff that matters.
Re:University of Tokyo Graduate School Entrance Exam – Mathe... by wayn3 on Thursday March 16, 2017 @08:42AM (#13884516)
I don't expect non-math people to relate or even care. If you open a textbook on algebraic topology and you've never studied even the most mundane calculus, you won't understand anything.

Somehow, this infuriates people.

The same people would have no problem admitting that they should probably not read specialized literature on law that requires readers to have gone through 8 years of law school before they can make sense of the content.

Mathematical literature is not meant for casuals. Its impossible to express advanced concepts concisely, in such a way that people who don't know the material can understand them.

This is like asking someone for an explanation on how to walk and then throwing a fit when they reply with "well, place one foot on front of the other in such a way that you dont fall over". You don't expect them to discuss activation levels in skeletal musculature resulting from biochemical processes in the nervous system. But in Math, thats what you want. Clear and concise language that inspires and is fun AND fully describes the problem at the same time.

Not going to happen.

Re:University of Tokyo Graduate School Entrance Exam – Mathe... by demonshalo on Thursday March 16, 2017 @08:51AM (#13884556)
You still don't get it... You are arguing against something I did not say!
Re:University of Tokyo Graduate School Entrance Exam – Mathe... by wayn3 on Thursday March 16, 2017 @09:04AM (#13884638)
Theres no elitism in math. We just require you to write proof in such a way that it is actually a proof, and not just some idea you've had.

In order to do that, you need to study math. Not because we are elitists but because you need to learn how to prove something. You need to learn the tools.

The same way a mason expects you to learn his craft before he takes you seriously. If you don't have a clue about masonry, you can still semi reliably build a brickwall in your backyard. But not a cathedral. Obviously, you dont expect anyone to allow you to work on a cathedral. But you expect mathematicians to take your thoughts on math seriously.

Its like a bootcamp idiot trying to piss all over a big software project. Just because they know how to vomit on a keyboard doesnt mean they get to make decisions.

Re:University of Tokyo Graduate School Entrance Exam – Mathe... by demonshalo on Thursday March 16, 2017 @09:30AM (#13884802)
you STILL dont get it!
[dead]
Re:University of Tokyo Graduate School Entrance Exam – Mathe... by wayn3 on Thursday March 16, 2017 @05:00PM (#13889132)
gonna build those really important walls instead :D