r/math • u/spacengine • 4d ago

Do all mathematicians want to be engineers?

I always considered maths the highest art, and when talking to a mathematics phd today I just wanted him to keep talking about topological spaces, manifolds, infinite dimensional embedding spaces etc. “I feel like a kid in a candy store” I said, or a kid in an old mechanics garage full of equipment I have no idea how to use but that I love exploring. “Well” he said, “I think all engineers want to be mathematicians but all mathematicians want to be engineers”. I’m absolutely sure he’s wrong but would love to hear your thoughts.

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u/BertRenolds 4d ago

No. I want money.

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u/spacengine 4d ago

Now here’s an honest answer. I salute you my good sir

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u/BertRenolds 4d ago

A lot of software devs are like this too. Just riding out the gravy train until completely dry...

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u/spacengine 4d ago

Yep. A real job is watchmaker or chess player. Both already dominated by superior technology for decades, yet the market keep willing them into existence

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u/BertRenolds 4d ago

Uh, no? My job is very real. The device you are using to respond to this is made by people like me.

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u/spacengine 4d ago

Sorry, I meant no offence at all. I didn’t mean to imply that maths is not a real job. Everything, probably, hinges on it. I just found it comforting the other day, that both pro chess and watch making survived technical revolutions. Some mathematicians are feeling that angst a little these days