"the contents of mathematics is far from arbitrary -- while an infinite number of mathematical objects might potentially be envoked [sic], the few that prove in

"the contents of mathematics is far from arbitrary -- while an infinite number of mathematical objects might potentially be envoked [sic], the few that prove interesting develop a very small number of core concepts. These core concepts are not arbitrary -- they are elaborations of structures which are discovered during the study of nature. There are four of these core concepts: number, geometry, algebra and logic." The fact that Smolin thinks these are distinct things shows just how out of touch he is, and is ironic given his hatred of mathematics.