Julie Fowlkes' Assignment 5

    I think it is very important for us as mathematicians to finds way to communicate to others about math in ways that are intriguing to less math-minded individuals. I find it very important when talking about math with my friends and family to stay goal oriented. Talking of proofs and theory is not incredibly entertaining when they mean very little to you. For example, when explaining the basics of topology to my dad (a very difficult task considering I barely know the basics of topology) I don't go into set theory or try to explain what it means for something to be a topology. Instead I explain it as a field whose goal is to interpret what it means to be a shape in a different way. I tell him that one of the most interesting things in it to me is that a topology made up of many rectangles, can be perfectly described by the topology made up of many balls. I tell him that any rectangle can be made up of an infinite number of balls all combined together. I think that visual aids provide much to the common person who doesn't desire to learn math but still likes understanding it. We must not talk to other individuals in a patronizing or jaded way. Everyone has their own unique knowledge base and understanding. Another key point is we should steer the conversation to what this math can actually accomplish that is useful. We must let people know that while the math we do may not be useful for them in their personal lives, it provides much in making the world a better place.
    Whether or not I believe that individual conversations with people can drive national investment in math, I'm not so sure. From what I can tell, policy's opinion seems to change much faster than the public. While these conversations and connections can foster a public that believes in the value of mathematics, I don't know if that will drive a political movement to increase national funding in mathematics. Perhaps I have a slanted perspective, but what I see in the political world is that votes and money are the real voices in their public lives. If we want to increase our value to them, we need to show them the value of what math is capable of. I don't believe I have a strict answer, but maybe we need mathematicians to become more politically minded. Not everyone, of course, but somebody who knows the value of math and science needs to get to a position where their voice matters.