Saturday, August 11, 2007

Math, Little Barbies, Math

In a good proof, wrote Hardy, "there is a very high degree of unexpectedness, combined with inevitability and economy. The argument takes so odd and surprising a form; the weapons used seem so childishly simple when compared with the far-reaching consequences; but there is no escape from the conclusions."

--The Man Who Loved Only Numbers

Not to be one of those wankers who's all, "Math and poetry, AM I RIGHT, and by the way, let me read you my poem about having sex in the garden of transfinite numbers," but, well, yeah.

8 comments:

Whimsy said...

"having sex in the garden of transfinite numbers" . . . you say that as if you think it improbable.

Patricia Lockwood said...

Convince me! I dare you to write that poem.

Richard Epstein said...

Oh. That Hardy.

Patricia Lockwood said...

Disappointing, I know.

Richard Epstein said...

Either Thomas or Oliver would have been so much better.

Patricia Lockwood said...

Oh my God, Richard, listen to Wikipedia regarding your latter Hardy: "In 1926, a hot leg of lamb changed the future of both Laurel and Hardy. Hardy was scheduled to appear in Get 'Em Young but was unexpectedly hospitalized after being burned by a hot leg of lamb." Did you know this? Why didn't anyone tell me?

Richard Epstein said...

"Why didn't anyone tell me?"

The silence of the legs of lambs.

Patricia Lockwood said...

Groan. Groan!