Math for English Majors with Ben Orlin
The conversation explores the intersection of math and language, with a focus on Ben Orlin's book 'Math for English Majors'. They discuss the different skill sets required for math and creativity, the organization of math education, and the accessibility of math for different audiences. Ben emphasizes the importance of quantification and the power of math in various fields. They also touch on the role of women in math history and the influence of Einstein's wife on his work. In this conversation, Ben Orlin discusses his book 'Math with Bad Drawings' and the intersection of math and literature. He explains that while math can be seen as a purified and simplified form of thinking, it can enrich a person's appreciation of literature by providing a different perspective and a way to think about the world. Ben also shares his process of writing the book, including how he chose the topics to include and the challenges of making math accessible to a wide audience.
About the Guest
Ben Orlin
Ben Orlin is a math teacher who can't draw. His books include Math with Bad Drawings (2018), Change is the Only Constant (2019), Math Games with Bad Drawings (2022), and most recently, Math for English Majors (Sept 2024). His work has appeared in The Atlantic, Popular Science, Slate, Vox, and The Los Angeles Times; he himself has appeared in the lines to ice cream stores everywhere. BBC star and leading mathematician Hannah Fry once described him as "terribly bad at drawing" before kindly adding “he’s also fantastically clever and charming.”
How to Support Us
Stay Connected: You can find Ben Orlin on Twitter, and his websites and on his websites mathwithbaddrawings.com and and https://mathgameswithbaddrawings.com and find his book “Math for English Majors” on Amazon
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