Timothy Gowers: The Importance of Mathematics (Part 1)
Why MathOverflow recommends it
MathOverflow users link it when someone asks how to justify or explain pure mathematics research to the public, or how to stay motivated about seemingly useless math.
Recommended by 3 people across 3 different months, 2011 to 2012.
Why Mathematics Stack Exchange recommends it
Mathematics Stack Exchange users link it when people ask about the role, value, or applicability of mathematics, or want good math videos and documentaries to watch.
Recommended by 2 people across 2 different months, 2011 to 2014.
What it is
The first part of Timothy Gowers' lecture 'The Importance of Mathematics', given at the Millennium Meeting in 2000 and uploaded as a series of clips. Gowers, a Fields medalist, explains in accessible terms why mathematical research matters and how it can be justified to a general audience.
What people said
Strong rec J. W. Perry · 2013-10 · Mathematics Stack Exchange · on “Role of mathematics in science”
I have (am currently watching) an absolute gem for you. In fact this reminded me of you. You absolutely have to watch this by a winner of the Fields medal: T. Gowers 1 [this video] , T. Gowers 2 [LINK] , .... You will see the rest. There are at least 8 parts (I am still watching). The title being "The Importance of Mathematics" at the millennium meeting in Paris.
Recommends Andrés E. Caicedo · 2011-04 · MathOverflow · on “Does mathematical fecundity ever deviate from its applicability?”
You may be interested in the following talk by Tim Gowers, on "The importance of mathematics": [this video] In other news, congratulations on your two books just published!
Recommends Austin Mohr · 2011-05 · MathOverflow · on “Best online mathematics videos?”
Timothy Gowers' " The Importance of Mathematics [this video] " never fails to instill a sense of purpose in my work, even when I feel I'm doing "useless" mathematics.
Recommends bezirsk · 2012-08 · MathOverflow · on “Justifying/Explaining math research in a public address”
you might be interested in Gowers' one-hour talk on the importance of mathematics [this video] . there he justifies/explains mathematical research in a very accessible way.
Recommends posilon · 2013-10 · Mathematics Stack Exchange · on “How To Present Algebraic Topology To Non-Mathematicians?”
You might want to watch the talk of Tim Gowers "The Importance of Mathematics" [this video] . In an nutshell, his answer to the politician was that some areas of mathematics have more practical applications than others but: It is very hard to predict which areas of mathematics will have applications in the future. The different areas of mathematics are very interconnected. Cutting the funding of a "non-profitable" area could harm the development of "profitable" ones. Of course he also talked about beauty and the quest for knowledge.
Recommends J. W. Perry · 2014-01 · Mathematics Stack Exchange · on “How come mathematics is applicable to the real world?”
@GPerez I think you will enjoy this talk [this video] . Here Timothy Gowers [LINK] is basically broaching your topic from the perspective of a pure mathematician in about 90 minutes over 9 videos. I found it quite a pleasure listen.
Cites user17762 · 2011-01 · Mathematics Stack Exchange · on “List of interesting math videos / documentaries”
This is an offshoot of the question on Fun math outreach/social activities [LINK] . I have listed a few videos/documentaries I have seen. I would appreciate if people could add on to this list. $1.$ Story of maths Part1 [LINK] Part2 [LINK] Part3 [LINK] Part4 [LINK] $2.$ Dangerous Knowledge Part1 [LINK] Part2 [LINK] $3.$ Fermat's Last Theorem [LINK] $4.$ The Importance of Mathematics [this video] $5.$ To Infinity and Beyond [LINK]
Cites user17762 · 2011-01 · Mathematics Stack Exchange · on “Fun math outreach/social activities”
To add to Mike's Math movies/documentaries list: (unable to post links in comments) Story of Maths [LINK] Dangerous Knowledge [LINK] Fermat's Last Theorem [LINK] The Importance of Mathematics [this video]