Mathematics as Science Fiction w/ Prof. Ian Stewart
Episode #74
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Episode recorded on 25 January 2024
Summary
Mathematician Prof. Ian Stewart shares his strategies for explaining abstract mathematical concepts to the public, the role imagination can play in education, and how science fiction can assist in solving the world’s most complex mysteries.
Guest Bio
Professor Ian Stewart is a British mathematician who majored in mathematics at the University of Cambridge and is an emeritus professor of mathematics at the University of Warwick. With more than 200 papers and 20 books on mathematics under his name, Professor Stewart has done much to popularise mathematics, talking about the principles and depth of mathematics within various academic fields such as literature, history, and astronomy.
For these accomplishments, he received the Michael Faraday Medal from the Royal Society of London in 1995 and became the first recipient of the Christopher Zeeman Medal in 2008. He also received the 2017 Euler Book Prize, given for an outstanding book in mathematics, and serves as a Fellow of the Royal Society of England.
Video Version
Show Notes (Video Version)
02:10 Overcoming Mathematics Anxiety
05:28 Role of Visualization
06:01 Power of Collaboration in Mathematical Research
11:38 Intersection between Mathematics & Biology
17:37 ‘Unreasonable Effectiveness’ of Mathematics
24:32 Storytelling in Mathematical Communication
36:15 Writing Non-Fiction
47:54 Journey into Science Fiction Writing
49:27 Exploring the Concept of 'Loophole'
50:06 The Art of Science Fiction
50:36 The Science Behind Faster Than Light Travel
54:17 Intersection of Mathematics and Science Fiction
54:30 Role of Imagination in Mathematical Research
01:03:42 Power of Collaboration
01:29:55 Future of Mathematics & AI
Links
Loophole (Book Website)
Transcript
Coming Soon
Credits
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Producer & Host: Luke Robert Mason
Assistant Audio Editor: Ramzan Bashir
Transcription: Beth Colquhoun
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