logo
episode-header-image
May 2011
37m 58s

Is math a human invention or a human dis...

iHeartPodcasts
About this episode
In this episode, Robert and Julie take a sweeping look at math, addressing several important questions. For example: What is math? Where does math come from? What mathematical skills are we born with and how much can we understand? 
Up next
Yesterday
From the Vault: Vintage Egyptology, with Colleen Darnell
In this classic episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert chats with Egyptologist, author and educator Colleen Darnell about ancient Egyptian religion, warfare and of course vintage fashion. (originallt published 7/31/2025)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 
41m 30s
Jul 17
Weirdhouse Cinema: Witchfinder General
In this episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe discuss the 1968 film “Witchfinder General,” directed by Michael Reeves and starring Vincent Price, often held up as a pivotal English folk horror entry, alongside 71’s “The Blood on Satan’s Claw” and 73’s “The Wickerman.”See omny ... Show More
1h 18m
Jul 16
Dog Days and Death Stars, Part 2
In this series from Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss the dog days of summer, their connection to a luminous star in the night’s sky and various ideas linking the summer’s hottest days to human and animal behavior.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 
57m 35s
Recommended Episodes
Sep 2024
The Hidden Secrets of Math: Invented or Discovered? (Part 2)
Where does math come from? Mathematicians are still debating whether math is an inherent part of nature or an invention of the human mind. Mathematics communicator and drag queen Kyne will guide you through the question of what math really is in this three-part Friday miniseries. ... Show More
13m 28s
Sep 2024
The Hidden Secrets of Math: Invented or Discovered? (Part 2)
Where does math come from? Mathematicians are still debating whether math is an inherent part of nature or an invention of the human mind. Mathematics communicator and drag queen Kyne will guide you through the question of what math really is in this three-part Friday miniseries. ... Show More
13m 28s
Dec 2022
Confessions Of A Math Convert
Math is a complex, beautiful language that can help people understand the world. And sometimes math is hard! Science communicator Sadie Witkowski says the key to making math your friend is to foster your own curiosity and shed the fear of sounding dumb. That's the guiding princip ... Show More
12m 55s
Mar 2022
Is maths real?
<p>Faced with one cake and eight hungry people, it’s pretty obvious how maths underpins reality. But as mathematics gets further from common sense and into seemingly abstract territory, nature still seems to obey its rules - whether in the orbit of a planet, the number of petals ... Show More
32m 15s
Mar 2025
Mathematics
Mathematics—the language of the universe, woven into the fabric of history and discovery. From ancient civilizations counting on clay tablets to the groundbreaking theories that shaped our modern world, the story of math is one of curiosity, logic, and human ingenuity. Who were t ... Show More
55m 32s
Sep 2022
Ep 140: Mathematics
What is mathematics? Does it provide us with "epistemological bedrock" - a finally, once and for all certainly true foundation? What does fallibilism say about any of this? Is mathematical knowledge not immune from error? 
5m 58s
Feb 2022
446: It's not always about being fast in math
What does it mean when someone tells you that you need to be good at math? In this episode, we discuss the common mistakes when doing math, how to structure your math problems, and what you should do to improve your math skills. Enjoying our podcast? Get access to sample advanced ... Show More
13m 2s
May 2024
192 - What is Math?
tail spinning
1h 5m
Sep 2024
Our Mathematical Universe with Grant Sanderson (3Blue1Brown)
<p>Is math discovered or invented? Neil deGrasse Tyson & Chuck Nice explore information theory, talking to aliens with prime numbers, Mandelbrot sets, and why math is often called the "language of the universe" with Grant Sanderson, the math educator behind YouTube channel 3Blue1 ... Show More
56m 56s