In this instalment we look at the fundamental question <<Where did mathematics start to diverge from its proper destiny?>>. Part of the answer is the Artform Turn which occurred around 1900, because it has led to a tendency to valorise strange, counter-intuitive concepts in mathematical research. In this way it […]

This is the last instalment this year of the blog which looks at the role mathematics could play in helping to renew reason —something we urgently need if education and civilisation itself are not to become extinct. The soundbite this year has been that we need to achieve 20-20 vision […]

The theme of last month’s blog was a review of disappointments: a list of six mistakes made by the leadership of mathematics, plus reflections on their consequences, and a suggestion for remedying the demoralising effect of Ulam’s Dilemma.  These historic ill-judged decisions of the leadership resulted in maths losing big […]

Let’s take stock of some unfortunate glitches which have occurred in the record of Maths and which have been chewed over with some reluctance in this series.  Having surveyed the seriousness of the glitches, the next stage is to consider what can be done to put the record straight.  Maths […]