The string theory bit aside, the implications of being an applied mathematics professor is pretty grim: you're going to be known as the one responsible for the application, good or bad, and it's also a pretty different profession from theoretical mathematics. Like, a worse profession.

[–] xhieron@lemmy.world 0 points 11 months ago (2 children)

Say more about this? Why is it a worse profession? Anywhere I can get a layperson-friendly deep dive on this (that doesn't require a graduate degree in mathematics)? I'm fascinated by the nuance between niche academic disciplines and the "politics" of academia.

[–] sorter_plainview@lemmy.today 0 points 11 months ago (1 children)

AFAIK it is just a form of elitism, where they argue applied science exists only because theoretical scientists "did" something. Like you are just using someone's stuff.

Another thing is theoretical science "indicates" advancement of science, where the applied side is just growth in sideways.

[–] Tryptaminev@lemm.ee 0 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago)

This kind of reductionism is hilariously unscientific.

Many theories were only able to advance after we had the tools to experimentally review them and quite frankly often weed the bad ones out. Modern tools like computing enable the development of theories that before were unimaginable, leaving aside the necessity of modern communication to grow and share knowledge.

Or in other words: Nobody who now writes his theories on chalkboard would have done so with charcoal on a cave wall after hunting mammoths during the day.