EconTalk A Mind-Blowing Way of Looking at Math (with David Bessis)
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Oct 27, 2025 
David Bessis, a mathematician and author of 'Mathematica,' explores a radical approach to understanding math. He argues that math is less about logic and more about nurturing intuition. Bessis emphasizes the need to think visually and suggests that math books should be consulted nonlinearly. He introduces 'System 3,' a reflective mode to refine intuition, and shares insights on the humility of great mathematicians. Bessis also addresses the limitations of language in conveying complex thoughts and the impact of AI on human understanding.
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Math Is Training The Intuition
- Mathematics trains intuition by attaching rich images and meanings to symbols.
- The real art of math is tuning internal semantics, not grinding formal proofs.
Don't Read Math Books Linearly
- Don't read math books like novels; open them at the point of need and hop between sections.
- Use the book to calibrate and validate your intuition, not as linear prose to be consumed.
Logic Trains, Intuition Guides
- Use logic to validate and retrain intuition, not to replace it.
- Mathematicians welcome being proven wrong because it refines their intuition over time.
