My math prof loved math. He pursued a B.Sc. in Mathmatics and looked for work. He could teach high school, or go back to school. He got his M.Sc in mathmatics. Looked at what he could do as a career. He could teach mathmatics at colleges, or go back to school. He got his PhD. in mathmatics from a prestigious school. He looked for a career. He could teach mathmatics at a 3rd rate University or die of hunger, homeless and chased by wolves.

He taught at my school and was a very strong proponent of not studying pure math. Comp Sci, Actuarial Sciences anything but pure math. He said math was a rich kids hobby, not a career.

[–] technocrit@lemmy.dbzer0.com -5 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

If someone doesn't love "pure math", then they don't love math. Like most people, they don't even know what "pure math" is. If your teacher only got a masters, it's probably because they couldn't finish the PhD.

Realistically academia is a terrible career for any field. But it's not like everybody in academia is a "rich kid". Many people love their field or like teaching or have no choice, etc.

If you want to make money, then you need to serve capital, militarism, etc. and not education, not science, not truth. Sure, "actuarial science" is a great way to do that.

It's the age of conflict between doing what capitalism wants you to do versus doing what you love, what is true, etc.

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