People I (Mostly) Admire

104. The Joy of Math With Sarah Hart

5 snips
Apr 29, 2023
Joining the conversation is Sarah Hart, Gresham Professor of Geometry and author known for weaving math into literature. She dives into the beauty of patterns in everyday life and how constraints can spark creativity in storytelling. Sarah discusses the fascinating intersection of math and literature, from haikus to graph theory in narratives. She advocates for engaging teaching methods that blend creativity with math, sharing how innovative approaches can inspire students to embrace the subject with joy and curiosity.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
INSIGHT

Primes in Haiku

  • Haiku's structure, with 5, 7, and 17 sounds (primes), adds to its artistic appeal.
  • Prime numbers create cleaner breaks and emphasize separations, enhancing the haiku's dynamic structure.
ANECDOTE

Mathematical Structure in Literature

  • Eleanor Catton's The Luminaries uses a geometric progression, halving each chapter's length.
  • This structure creates a sense of impetus, adding to the novel's appreciation.
INSIGHT

Constraints and Creativity

  • Constraints in literature, like in sonnets, can enhance creativity rather than limit it.
  • They provide a framework to push against, similar to how Houdini used straitjackets.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app