Finding your Passion?

As faculty (advisors, mentors), we are often telling undergraduates that they are in a good position to explore their future and "find their passion".  You know, "Definitely take chemistry courses if you love the subject, but now is the time to also take that one class in a subject you were always curious about", or "well, if you are not happy with your studies, perhaps your focus is not what you would really love to pursue".  We tend to strongly encourage students to use their undergraduate years as a means to "find" themselves.  Tara Bahrampour of the Washington Post in the article

'Find your passion'?  That's bad advice, scientists say.

says that this may, in fact, be bad advice.  Well, not so much bad advice, and incomplete advice.  Developing a mindset of general growth, nurturing multiple interests, at least initially, may lead to a much more fulfilling and successful future path.  Moreover, fixing the mindset on only a singular topic of study may stunt the pursuit of other interests.

I like the analysis.  You should give it a read.

Math in the Media: Arguing on Pi-Day

I cannot say that we, as mathematicians, do not have our fair share of math-arguments and inside jokes and math puns and such.  You know, stuff that the "outside" world would either groan at or simply walk away from in a head-shaking fashion.  But Pi-Day, March 14, or 3/14, does seem to bring things like this to the surface....

Here are two articles that have leaked out into the "real" world.  The first is not a real debate or controversy, really..., but it is kinda fun in a strange sort of way.  It is an argument for a better way to generally represent the constant that arises from comparing the diameter or radius of a circle to its circumference.  Since pi radians represents only half a turn around a circle, why not have the universal constant simply be 2pi, representing a full turn around the circle.  Call this number tau = 2pi.  The article, in the Verge, is kind of a rant on pi's fame:

Stop Celebrating Pi Day and embrace Tau as the true circle constant

I am not sure about this one, but the accompanying "Tau Manifesto" is a pretty good read. 

The other is really more of a comedy routine, designed to educate and highlight some real math.  The sort of sweetened medicine you were forced to take as a child.  Broadcast via Mother Jones, the interview/debate

What is the greatest number of all time?

is an argument between two mathematicians Tom Garrity and Colin Adams.  Clever....

Enjoy Pi-Day!!!

...Back from hibernation....

Sorry to all for the long lapse in communication.  With other projects on the front burner (a textbook, now due on the shelf this summer), and local distractions right and left, this forum went dormant for a long while.  It is now to be considered alive....

Talk to you soon about math in teaching, education, recreation, etc.