Gian-Carlo Rota Quotes - Page 2

Quotes about:

• The apex of mathematical achievement occurs when two or more fields which were thought to be entirely unrelated turn out to be closely intertwined. Mathematicians have never decided whether they should feel excited or upset by such events.

  Gian-Carlo Rota

  Science, Two, Achievement

  Gian-Carlo Rota (2009). “Indiscrete Thoughts”, p.214, Springer Science & Business Media

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• Our faith in Mathematics is not likely to wane if we openly acknowledge that the personalities of even the greatest mathematicians may be as flawed as those of anyone else.

  Gian-Carlo Rota

  Personality, May, Mathematics

  Gian-Carlo Rota (2008). “Indiscrete Thoughts”, p.3, Springer Science & Business Media

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• [In mathematics] There are two kinds of mistakes. There are fatal mistakes that destroy a theory, but there are also contingent ones, which are useful in testing the stability of a theory.

  Gian-Carlo Rota

  Mistake, Science, Two

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• Running overtime is the one unforgivable error a lecturer can make. After fifty minutes (one microcentury as von Neumann used to say) everybody's attention will turn elsewhere.

  Gian-Carlo Rota

  Running, Science, Errors

  Gian-Carlo Rota (2008). “Indiscrete Thoughts”, p.197, Springer Science & Business Media

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• Very little mathematics has direct applications - though fortunately most of it has plenty of indirect ones.

  Gian-Carlo Rota

  Littles, Mathematics, Indirect

  Gian-Carlo Rota (2009). “Indiscrete Thoughts”, p.213, Springer Science & Business Media

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• Stan Ulam was lazy, ... He talked too much ... He was self-centered ... . He had an overpowering personality.

  Gian-Carlo Rota

  Science, Self, Personality

  4 Copy quote

• Mathematicians - for what they do - are really poorly rewarded. And it's a very competitive field, almost as bad as being a concert pianist.

  Gian-Carlo Rota

  Fields, Concerts, Mathematician

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