To The Best Of Our Knowledge The Hidden Geometry of Everything
Jun 8, 2024
In this chat with Jordan Ellenberg, a mathematician renowned for linking math to life, listeners dive into the surprising emotional connections people have with geometry. Ellenberg explores how geometry shapes our understanding of everything from democracy and gerrymandering to romance novels. He discusses its impact on American ideals and historical figures like Lincoln. The conversation highlights how geometric principles influence human cognition and perception, suggesting that our relationship with shapes might even define what it means to be human.
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Gerrymandering's Secret Mapping
- Republican aides in 2011 secretly redrew Wisconsin voting districts to secure a decade-long hold on power.
- This practice ignited mathematicians' involvement seeking geometric solutions to combat gerrymandering.
Programs as Geometric Points
- Computer programs can be seen as points in high-dimensional geometric spaces.
- Optimizing these programs involves navigating this space, turning programming into a geometric challenge.
Understanding Beyond Experience
- Abstract math lets us understand higher dimensions without direct experience.
- Through logic, we can infer truths about dimensions beyond our perception.