Re:There's never been a better time to go into math (by: 3bl...
by voidhorse on Monday October 19, 2026 @12:02AM
(#50148246)
Many people don't seem to understand that pure mathematics is not a practical applied science, nor is it in the business of inventing things.
Pure maths is much closer to philosophy or art than practical problem solving. Yes, we're extremely lucky that mathematics also happens to be a fantastic formalism for solving practical and scientific problems, by the practical problems are not remotely the subject matter of pure math. Of course, many mathematicians did advance theory in order to solve specific practical problems, but the pursuit of theory for theory's sake is also an important human activity.
Historically, this freedom from practicality has been important. It allows mathematicians to explore purely theoretical issues that have no practical bearing today but that might well have relevance in the future. We don't know. Carving out dedicated resources in society for that activity, though, has proven very beneficial for other sciences.
You have no computer, you have no neural nets, you have no AI, without at least some results from pure maths. Maybe keep that in mind before you crap on mathematics for its lack of immediate practicality. Not all good things in life arise as solutions to concrete and immediate material problems.
Pure maths is much closer to philosophy or art than practical problem solving. Yes, we're extremely lucky that mathematics also happens to be a fantastic formalism for solving practical and scientific problems, by the practical problems are not remotely the subject matter of pure math. Of course, many mathematicians did advance theory in order to solve specific practical problems, but the pursuit of theory for theory's sake is also an important human activity.
Historically, this freedom from practicality has been important. It allows mathematicians to explore purely theoretical issues that have no practical bearing today but that might well have relevance in the future. We don't know. Carving out dedicated resources in society for that activity, though, has proven very beneficial for other sciences.
You have no computer, you have no neural nets, you have no AI, without at least some results from pure maths. Maybe keep that in mind before you crap on mathematics for its lack of immediate practicality. Not all good things in life arise as solutions to concrete and immediate material problems.