We mathematicians complain a lot about the way ourprofession is portrayed to the general public. Come on,you’ve done it! And it’s not like there’s nothing to complainabout. Topologists are always turning coffee cups into eitherdoughnuts or bagels, number theorists spend their daysgazing at prime numbers with the ultimate aim of divininga “pattern” that will let them compromise internet commerce,etc.. Math is presented as an activity that’s inherentlyobscure, and unpleasant for all but a preselected caste ofpeople, usually white, male, and bearded.
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