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Literature Text
Mathematics is a blanket
draped over bicycle-shaped truth.
Nothing
‐ everything ‐
is hidden.
Mathematics half-conceals
truths so abstract
they threaten reality
with twisting, animating fire
that leaves spacetime
a melted plastic lump.
Mathematics cannot say
what it means.
That is learned
by staring into cracks
and breathing the negative space.
draped over bicycle-shaped truth.
Nothing
‐ everything ‐
is hidden.
Mathematics half-conceals
truths so abstract
they threaten reality
with twisting, animating fire
that leaves spacetime
a melted plastic lump.
Mathematics cannot say
what it means.
That is learned
by staring into cracks
and breathing the negative space.
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I previously wrote about learning maths here. I got some very helpful feedback on it at a #CRLiterature crit event (in no particular order, especial thanks to ^Beccalicious, $lightningmonkey, =CJWilde, `HaveTales-WillTell, *Vocable) and realised a lot about what I was trying to do, but perhaps less about how I needed to edit the piece I'd actually written. So this is one product of that session, unashamedly addressed to the student of mathematics, although hopefully not exclusive to her. I'm also trying to do a piece that addresses the not-student of mathematics (why yes, I am mildly maths-obsessed, thank you for noticing), but that's proving to be more difficult. 
Opinions, as always, are very welcome!
Just to be clear, I don't think you can learn your times tables by breathing negative space; but I'm not sure you can understand compact sets without it.
Opinions, as always, are very welcome!
Just to be clear, I don't think you can learn your times tables by breathing negative space; but I'm not sure you can understand compact sets without it.
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Comments13
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Mathematics cannot say
what it means.
I strongly disagree. Mathematics is very careful to say exactly what it means - every word has a very precise definition and a lot of information can be gleaned from just a very few words. To me, as a mathematician, the clarity and straightforwardness of the language (compared to anything wordy, like everyday speech) is one of the most beautiful things about it. Nothing is left to be ambiguous!
Normally, I wouldn't comment - but as you said you addressed it to students of mathematics, I thought I'd share. I think our experiences of mathematics seem to be very different.
what it means.
I strongly disagree. Mathematics is very careful to say exactly what it means - every word has a very precise definition and a lot of information can be gleaned from just a very few words. To me, as a mathematician, the clarity and straightforwardness of the language (compared to anything wordy, like everyday speech) is one of the most beautiful things about it. Nothing is left to be ambiguous!
Normally, I wouldn't comment - but as you said you addressed it to students of mathematics, I thought I'd share. I think our experiences of mathematics seem to be very different.