There's never been a better time to go into math (by: 3blue1brown) [video]

Re:There's never been a better time to go into math (by: 3bl... by zkmon on Monday October 19, 2026 @02:07AM (#50148922)

I have great respect to him for all his contributions to the learners. But I think he is off on this one. While he tried to sound motivational to the folks who suddenly lost their way, he should have also advised people to explore the open doors instead of banging on the closed ones, like he does throughout the video.

Sure, math does require people in future, but it can't accommodate as many as it does today.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:There's never been a better time to go into math (by: 3bl... by johnnyanmac on Monday October 19, 2026 @03:32AM (#50149451)

What doors will there be left open in 5-10 years for those who have yet to start their career?

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:There's never been a better time to go into math (by: 3bl... by rubikscube09 on Monday October 19, 2026 @02:59AM (#50149217)

it barely accommodates anyone today

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:There's never been a better time to go into math (by: 3bl... by IshKebab on Monday October 19, 2026 @05:16AM (#50150194)

> Sure, math does require people in future, but it can't accommodate as many as it does today.

I actually think it probably can - after all mathematics isn't a commercially viable career and pretty much all mathematicians are scholars paid by universities and taxes. They're already fairly unnecessary and mostly kept around for interest and to have an educated population and so on. In a way they're uniquely positioned to survive the AI storm.

Not so for programmers who are almost all working for companies who would love to stop paying them given a chance.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:There's never been a better time to go into math (by: 3bl... by bjornsing on Monday October 19, 2026 @12:06PM (#50154119)

Very true. For mathematicians this is about ego / identity. For software engineers it’s about employability.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:There's never been a better time to go into math (by: 3bl... by curt15 on Monday October 19, 2026 @07:34AM (#50151098)

Even today, math is hardly a crowded field flush with cash.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:There's never been a better time to go into math (by: 3bl... by j2kun on Monday October 19, 2026 @11:27AM (#50153620)

I think it depends on what you mean by crowded. I think the most common profession for a math major is teaching, is it not?

[ Parent | on HN ]