Subject: re:WOW effect
From: Adam Stinchcombe (Stinchca@acc.sunyacc.edu)
Date: Tue May 02 2000 - 09:06:00 EDT
Hi folks,
Whenever I hear mention of "utility" in mathematics, I wonder where the speaker
is 'coming from.' Real life math, actual real life applied math, is, in my
opinion, a lot harder to do than abstract, concocted, non-contextual math.
In terms of the recent emails re: the WOW effect, first off, congratulations,
Martha, on a successful demonstration. But in response to Abraham, what is the
application here? Ultimately, if I want to know how a pendant hangs, I can just
hang it up and look/see. I don't need any math to do this. Where is the
utility? I tried to think of an applied problem related to this and my first
thought was "what would the linear density have to be for a flexible rod to
stretch, due to gravity, to any prescribed shape?" Hmmm, maybe not so easy
living in the real world. Then again, why would someone want to prescribe the
shape of a hanging pendant? Maybe for art! But then, that is esoteric and
aesthetic, and not really related to utility, is it?
Respectfully submitted for your consideration,
Adam Stinchcombe
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