Steven Strogatz

Steve Strogatz, a mathematician and Cornell professor renowned for his work on the Fibonacci sequence, joins the conversation to delve into the fascinating dynamics of growth. The discussion journey spans from giant pumpkins at the Alaska State Fair to the regenerative wonders of sea slugs. Strogatz reveals the profound connections between math, creativity, and nature's growth patterns. It also addresses the paradox of global population growth, highlighting the challenges of declining birth rates and the implications of an aging demographic. A captivating exploration of growth's many layers!

Joining the discussion is Steve Strogatz, a Cornell mathematician renowned for his insights into mathematical concepts. He highlights the age-old taboo of dividing by zero, explaining not just its historical context but its philosophical implications. Listeners are taken on a journey through the evolution of mathematical thought, exploring imaginary numbers and the existential dilemmas they provoke. The conversation challenges perceptions of value and existence, leading to a thought-provoking examination of freedom in a mathematically surreal 'zero world'.

Steven Strogatz, a mathematics professor at Cornell University, shares his passion for making math accessible to everyone. He draws fascinating connections between math and real-world phenomena, like the synchronization of fireflies and DNA structure. Strogatz critiques traditional math education, advocating for methods that foster curiosity rather than fear. He also touches on the intricacies of mathematical patterns in social networks and broader implications for our understanding of collective behavior, making mathematics relatable and engaging.

Steven Strogatz, an applied mathematician at Cornell, is a prominent figure in the field of nonlinear dynamics and chaos, and a widely beloved popularizer of math. Episode sponsor: https://brilliant.org/3b1b Brilliant is a great site/app for being more active in learning math. --- Books by Strogatz which we discussed --- Chaos and Nonlinear dynamics https://amzn.to/3lFQjrU Infinite powers https://amzn.to/3AnvXIg Unpublished appendix about Newton's letters to Leibniz:  https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5436e695e4b07f1e91b30155/t/5dd434fb9d105d031ded69de/1574188283323/Appendix+2+-+Newton+on+infinite+series+and+the+Epistola+Posterior+v4.pdf --- Other things which came up --- Strogatz's senior thesis: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5436e695e4b07f1e91b30155/t/5dca1c993141bb5946c54b45/1573526688118/The-mathematics-of-supercoiled-DNA.pdf His first published paper: https://www.pnas.org/content/pnas/78/3/1461.full.pdf Crick’s paper about linking numbers and nucleosomes with the memorable comment that inspired his experiment with the ribbon: https://www.pnas.org/content/pnas/73/8/2639.full.pdf The 4-dog chase problem and its solution. https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/jun/03/can-you-solve-it-dogs-in-pursuit https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/jun/03/did-you-solve-it-dogs-in-pursuit For a full solution with calculus, see Strogatz's book "The Calculus of Friendship" https://amzn.to/3CyVe48 Survey for kids on their desired occupation: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lego-group-kicks-off-global-program-to-inspire-the-next-generation-of-space-explorers-as-nasa-celebrates-50-years-of-moon-landing-300885423.html   A radical approach to real analysis https://amzn.to/2VwtgF3 Twitter thread on what, morally, a normal subgroup is. https://mobile.twitter.com/sbagley/status/1296211024534622208 Leibniz formula via patterns from primes https://youtu.be/NaL_Cb42WyY --- Table of contents --- 0:00 - Intro 1:15 - Ad 1:59 - The perfect problem for a high school student 12:43 - Starting the Princeton undergrad 22:52 - The most beautiful proof 26:58 - What makes someone love a problem? 36:05 - Putting lessons online 41:57 - In and out of pre-med 47:05 - The geometry of DNA 58:53 - Using teaching as a means to learn 1:09:47 - Do students like history? 1:18:39 - The truth of Newton and Leibniz 1:23:29 - Archimedes, a true great 1:28:32 - Pitfalls of pure math exposition 1:39:03 - "Morality" in math 1:43:20 - An under-motivated culture 1:51:48 - What's next?

Steven Strogatz, a Professor of Applied Mathematics at Cornell and author of several popular science books, explores how complex behaviors arise from simple systems. He delves into synchronization, using fireflies as a captivating example of coordinated behavior. Strogatz also tackles the dynamics of connectivity in networks, emphasizing their impact on society and health. He shares insights on the importance of calculus in education, advocating for a nurturing environment in the academic world. Tune in for a fascinating journey through mathematics and its real-world implications!