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> Mathematicians like to believe that we're smarter than average, but we're actually just very focused. Serious question: does this spell doom for people with
by thanatropism 8y ago
> Mathematicians like to believe that we're smarter than average, but we're actually just very focused.
Serious question: does this spell doom for people with ADHD?
- gowld 8y agoIn my experience, yes, unless treated with amphetamines.
- raziel2701 8y agoYou might be onto something here. Paul Erdos used to consume amphetamines and he was a prolific mathematician.
- asteli 8y agoIt doesn't necessarily. One thing that can come with ADHD is hyperfocus for certain activities. If one has ADHD and an intense interest in mathematics, you might be in luck. When I was in school, I have a hard time staying engaged in lecture, and homework was near-impossible. I got a C in physics, but set the curve on the tests. It was a fascinating topic, but I couldn't stay focused on the bookwork. Occasionally I will find a project that fully engages hyperfocus, and it's incredibly satisfying. I once fabricated a motorcycle carrier in a day and a half, pausing only to eat and sleep.
- trentmb 8y ago> Serious question: does this spell doom for people with ADHD? Caveat: undergrad in math, working on a part time coursework masters (I'm hoping to talk someone into being my advisor for a part time thesis) No more so than any other academic subject. If anything, I've found math more friendly to my ADHD than philosophy, literature, etc.
- thanatropism 8y agoI successfully completed an Applied Math masters and defended a dissertation on symplectic integration. But that didn’t quite give me the superpowers my professors had.