Saturday, 16 December 2006

Deaf Jews in Mathematics

The official list of deaf Jews who have won prestigious mathematics prizes. 

(No, context will not be forthcoming.)

Dec 16, 2006 12:48:31 PM

10 Comments

Alex Leibowitz

Now how about the roster of *blind* Jewish mathematicians?

Posted by: Alex Leibowitz | Saturday, 16 December 2006 at 03:23 PM

jhr

The context is pretty obvious...

Posted by: jhr | Saturday, 16 December 2006 at 06:27 PM

Edward Piercy

I think your links have broken. Unless it's my browser. Or unless, somehow, that was your point.

But it did get me to wondering. Is there the equivalent of "Sigma" and the other mathematical symbols in ASL?

Posted by: Edward Piercy | Saturday, 16 December 2006 at 09:50 PM

Alex Leibowitz

LOL -- that's the whole point. Read Derrida: math is an entirely *written* language.

...

But there's no reason why there couldn't be. Anything can be a symbol for anything, within reason.

Posted by: Alex Leibowitz | Saturday, 16 December 2006 at 10:47 PM

Theophrastus Bombastus von Hoehenheim den Sidste

Why is the Chemical Rubber Company interested in mathematics?

Posted by: Theophrastus Bombastus von Hoehenheim den Sidste | Sunday, 17 December 2006 at 12:07 AM

jhr

The links are broken because it's a edited copy of an actual page: http://jinfo.org/Mathematics.html. Also, I don't think you need to read Derrida to realize the silliness of the question about sign language, considering that there isn't even an equivalent of that sigma in *English*; it is instead read somewhat awkwardly as "sum".

Posted by: jhr | Sunday, 17 December 2006 at 12:12 AM

Alex Leibowitz

True. But I like it that D. had something to say about math.

Posted by: Alex Leibowitz | Sunday, 17 December 2006 at 08:59 AM

Alex Leibowitz

And good old Tarski is there!!!

Posted by: Alex Leibowitz | Sunday, 17 December 2006 at 09:01 AM

Mike S

I for one take great offense to this post, as I am both Jewish and the recipient of *several* prestigious math awards, some of which are still affixed to my Mom's refrigerator. My hearing's just fine, though every once in a while I need things repeated.

Posted by: Mike S | Sunday, 17 December 2006 at 11:33 AM

Scott Eric Kaufman

(This comment brought to you by Continental Airlines and my parents' neighbor's Wifi.)

jhr, that's not quite the context, but close enough. All I'll say is:

I dominated a statistical-based something or other for a good three years despite demonstrating, on multiple occasions, profound ignorance of basic mathematic principles including, but not limited to, addition, subtraction multiplication and division.

That David Light fellow, on the other hand, is merely Jewish, deaf, and challenged (mathematically speaking).

That said, the broken links are a nice touch, no?

Posted by: Scott Eric Kaufman | Sunday, 17 December 2006 at 04:38 PM

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