Prolonged contact with the computer turns mathematicians into clerks and vice versa.

[Mtt]

I read this quote a few times and I dont really get it. I dont see why this is true and the meaning associated with this quote. Can anyone explain why this is true?

 

[SOFTengCOMPelec]

This seems to say that it is a JOKE

I'm not sure if I understand the joke.

But I think they mean that because the mathematician is using the computer so much, they are effectively a computer operator (i.e. Clerk).

Vice versa, A Clerk using a computer, can act like a mathematician, because they are using the power of the computer to do mathematical things, even though they are NOT a mathematician.

 

[dighn]

yeah seems to suggest that the computer is an equalizer for mathematical skills. not funny though

 

[MongGrel]

Sounds like one of Neuroplasticity commercials or something.

 

[Mtt]

This seems to say that it is a JOKE

I'm not sure if I understand the joke.

But I think they mean that because the mathematician is using the computer so much, they are effectively a computer operator (i.e. Clerk).

Vice versa, A Clerk using a computer, can act like a mathematician, because they are using the power of the computer to do mathematical things, even though they are NOT a mathematician.

In my interaction with "mathematician", I found that most of them dont use computer to do mathematic at all.

I found the quote from this book http://www.amazon.com/dp/0393979504

 

[Leros]

In my interaction with "mathematician", I found that most of them dont use computer to do mathematic at all.

I found the quote from this book http://www.amazon.com/dp/0393979504

Mathematicians use computers for some work, but my understanding is that handwriting is still the preferred method for theoretical work.

 

[SOFTengCOMPelec]

In my interaction with "mathematician", I found that most of them dont use computer to do mathematic at all.

I found the quote from this book http://www.amazon.com/dp/0393979504

I agree. The quote is NOT very accurate in practice.

(Although as LEROS says, some mathematically inclined people do use computers to help with their mathematics).

 

[mv2devnull]

http://phdcomics.com/comics/archive.php?comicid=1699

Computers tend to offer distractive possibilities.


A clerk can end up benefiting from applied mathematics or statistics; useful trends are easier to search from a list of transactions that is on digital format than on paper.

 

[Markbnj]

The other way to look at it is: prolonged contact with computers turns mathematicians into people who can earn a salary.