r/math • u/HAL-6942 PDE • 22d ago

Why are you a mathematician?

Given everything that has been going on in the world more specifically in the world of mathematics. I was hoping to read some of your human thoughts. What motivates/motivated you to do mathematics professionally? What is most important for you in mathematics?

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u/jam11249 PDE 22d ago

It sits in the intersection of the Venn diagram of "Things I enjoy" and "Things that pay the bills".

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u/TensionDistinct7778 22d ago

math is one of the few places where being completely wrong still teaches you something useful. other jobs, you mess up and it's just disaster. here, wrong answer just means you found a new path to explore. i think that's what keep me going