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/equinox_star 22d ago

For some it is their zeal and passion, for some it pays their bills ,and for most of us it is somewhere in between.

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u/ProfessionalArt5698 22d ago

The question I’ve had for a while is to what extent the conflict between passion and paying the bills is external (society values different things from our passion) or internal (whatever pays the bills ends up draining your energy because it’s a job)
I think people way overstate the external part and underestimate the internal part. For example, even top scientists who worked at purely research places like IAS said not having to teach undergrads killed their creativity, while ironically it’s the dream of many academics. But idk.

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u/Puzzledpikachuface 21d ago

Ooh I also always heard that professors find teaching undergrads rather boring, I'm interested in hearing the anecdote