The culture of mathematics and its importance in today’s society

As a geek and the nerd that I consider myself to be, I been excited by the “geek culture” or the “nerd stigma” all my life, particularly this year after watching Avengers: Endgame, anxiously waiting for the Big Bang Theory finale, and of course Star Wars Episode IX: the Rise of Skywalker.  Thus, in the last few days I pondered on the question: “Is society finally willing to give the mathematics degree, the worth and value it deserves.” I am sure that three weeks ago not even 1% of the planet knew what a Mobius strip was, but by now I am certain that the millions who saw the movie probably looked it up out of curiosity.

When I saw the pilot of the Big Bang Theory, I remember laughing after Sheldon said that he wouldn’t love a child who didn’t know that difference between an integral and a differential; as my calculus memories flash through my eyes.

In the late 1990 as I was receiving my BS in math, I remember vividly that most people thought that I could either teach HS or go to grad school, as there weren’t many jobs opportunities for pure math degrees back then. I am not sure if the job market has change much or if employers have caught up to idea that “highly motivated, results driven and process oriented” translates to successfully being able to do proofs in upper math courses and “think critically and creatively” translates to being able to take your math training and apply it to things to like spreadsheets, just for the fun of it.  Yes, playing with spreadsheets and just thinking away to do silly things with them; is way more fun than reading a book.

Just as the series “A Different World” made a huge impact in the academics and lives of young African-Americans in the late ’80 and early ‘90, I hope the recent movies and TV shows are finally going to change the mentally of society that being a geek and/or nerd is not cool; and the mentality of employers that a math degree in itself doesn’t carry much value other than to teach in a classroom.

For the difference between geek and nerd, see https://flowingdata.com/2013/06/14/the-differences-between-a-geek-and-a-nerd/.

David Tello, Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics for the Life and Social Sciences 2012 – Arizona State University.

Disclaimer:  The above represent the ideas solely of the author and are not associated with any other person or organization.  Comments are welcome, private comments can be send to [email protected].