Category Theory: Exploring Mathematics’ Deepest Truths With Eugenia Cheng (#362)

Is math real? How to bake pi? And how much is x+y, really?  Many people don't like math because they find it too complicated or boring. But math can actually be a lot of fun, and we can find it everywhere in life, even in the most mundane things like baking. And it is through baking that today's guest, Eugenia Cheng, decided to rid the world of math phobia. Dr. Cheng is a renowned mathematician, educator, author, and concert pianist. She's a scientist in residence at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, where she teaches mathematics to art students. She is an expert in category theory and has recently published a book, Is Math Real?, which we will discuss in detail today! Join Eugenia and me as we explore mathematics’ deepest truths. Key Takeaways:  Intro (00:00) Judging a book by its cover: Is Math Real? (01:10) On the unreasonable power of mathematics in the physical sciences (04:05) If there were no physical world, would math exist? (08:14) The number zero (10:30) Is our brain a massive computer? (17:04) How to Bake Pi (22:38) Category theory (27:07) How to revitalize and modernize education (39:21) Is math created or discovered? (45:12) Outro (49:33) — Additional resources:  🥗 Thanks, HelloFresh! Go to HelloFresh.com/50impossible and use code 50impossible for 50% off plus 15% off the next 2 months. 📝 With a MasterClass annual membership, you can take one-on-one classes from the world’s best for $10 a month with your annual membership, get unlimited access to every class — and even better, right now, as an Into The Impossible listener, you can get 15% off when you go to MASTERCLASS.com/impossible. 🧑‍💻 Visit LinkedIn.com/IMPOSSIBLE to post your job for free! ➡️ Check out Eugenia Cheng:  📚 Is Math Real? By Eugenia Cheng: https://a.co/d/j68vZuU   ✖️ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrEugeniaCheng/  💻 Website: https://eugeniacheng.com/  ➡️ Follow me on your fav platforms: ✖️ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrBrianKeating  🔔 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/DrBrianKeating?sub_confirmation=1  📝 Join my mailing list: https://briankeating.com/mailing_list  ✍️ Check out my blog: https://briankeating.com/blog.php  🎙️ Follow my podcast: https://briankeating.com/podcast  — Into the Impossible with Brian Keating is a podcast dedicated to all those who want to explore the universe within and beyond the known. Make sure to follow so you never miss an episode! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices