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Originally Posted by baudrunner Mathematics belongs to people who like to play with numbers and symbolic equations. It explains things but doesn't always have ideas that are according to the rules of nature. |
No no no - you are spot on to talk about music as structural mathematics, in a way MUSIC has structure that is mathematical, and I learnt music from the paper rolls of an automated (suction powered) player piano when I was very very young. Mathematics is a way of structuring truth mechanically, for me, I only wish I could express that more clearly. Mathematics does not belong to people who avoid confrontation and truth. Yes part of the comfort of maths is the escape from challenges in reality, and psychologically maths is perfect when the world is tough - but playing with numbers and symbolic equations is the kindergarten of mathematics surely.
Applying the same structural clarity to reality itself is grown up maths. Anyone who expresses the unruly details of reality within mathematics is awesome - Newton of course, Einstein, Bezier, Fourrier, Pythagoras... Goedel? Penrose (in parts)... Goodness these giants weren't playing with numbers or symbols, but sure we'd need a telephone directory for those who settle for intangible mathematical games