3 ms·
Sure, the world is a better place with fewer serfs in it, but what exactly is of "higher value" than being a research mathematician? It's already a profession
by rwl 4mo ago
Sure, the world is a better place with fewer serfs in it, but what exactly is of "higher value" than being a research mathematician? It's already a profession that consists essentially of exercising our highest and most distinctly human capacities: creativity, abstract reasoning, and passing the results of those on through a distinctive language and culture. I don't think the comparison with serfs is useful.
I'm sure most research mathematicians would like more freedom from some of the drudgery of their work (grading, admin, etc.), just like the rest of us. But we should be aiming for a world that allows more people to become mathematicians, not fewer.
- XenophileJKO 4mo agoSure, recreational mathematicians. Just like people that like to ride horses for fun.
- gabaix 4mo agoConstant recreation may be the ultimate purpose of humanity.
- vitally3643 4mo agoPut another way, wage slavery is not the ultimate purpose of humanity.
- Der_Einzige 4mo agoThis but unironically
- andai 4mo ago> But we should be aiming for a world that allows more people to become mathematicians, not fewer. Yeah. UBI. We'll probably be seeing that in the next 15 years. (In Europe, at least. In America the culture may not be able to stomach it, and I see even odds of a massive fake jobs program instead.)