This video is a lucid, dynamic presentation of the deep and important question of the relevance of mathematics to society, delivered by one of the best mathematicians of the modern age. T.Gowers gave the Keynote Address at the historic Millennium Meeting of the Clay Mathematics Institute (CMI) - the very same meeting at which the Millennium Prize Problems were announced. He spoke about the relevance of mathematics to diverse applications citing examples in computer science, finance, and engineering. His theme underscores the unity of different apparently diverse sub-fields of mathematics. His exposition is exceptionally clear and easy to follow, making mathematics accessible to non-experts. This lecture is a treasure trove of mathematical intuition and insight into the relationship between mathematics and its applications. Using historical and present-day examples, the speaker makes a convincing argument that mathematics plays a crucial role in the advancement of science.
Review :
From the reviews:
..". This is a masterful one-hour lecture, presented at the Millenium Celebration of the Clay Mathematics Institute, which makes the case for mathematics in a clear and convincing way. ... Gowers makes a persuasive case about the importance of mathematics, using examples with exactly the right amount of detail to lead the mathematically literate public through a masterful talk. Mathematicians who find it hard to explain their work to acquaintances ought to watch this video - and study his technique."
John H. Ewing, Mathematical Reviews Clippings from Issue 2004f
for a review of the CMI Millenium Meeting Collection see http: //www.maa.org/reviews/cmivideos.html
"Gower s title is The Importance of Mathematics and he interweaves many themes. One particularly novel theme uses society at large as a metaphor for the mathematical research community. The result is a vast world-wide encyclopedia of mathematics of wide applicability. The themes are appealingly presented . Throughout, the themes are illustrated by extremely well chosen nuggets of mathematics. The accessibility of the mathematics in Gower s lecture provides a nice balance ." (David P. Roberts, MAA Online, November, 2003)"
From the reviews: .,." This is a masterful one-hour lecture, presented at the Millenium Celebration of the Clay Mathematics Institute, which makes the case for mathematics in a clear and convincing way. ... Gowers makes a persuasive case about the importance of mathematics, using examples with exactly the right amount of detail to lead the mathematically literate public through a masterful talk. Mathematicians who find it hard to explain their work to acquaintances ought to watch this video - and study his technique."
John H. Ewing, Mathematical Reviews Clippings from Issue 2004f
for a review of the CMI Millenium Meeting Collection see http: //www.maa.org/reviews/cmivideos.html
"This is a masterful one-hour lecture, presented at the Millennium Celebration of the Clay Mathematics Institute, which makes the case for mathematics in a clear and convincing way. He illustrates by example a ] that sometimes seemingly useless mathematics can be extremely useful in ways that are not immediately apparent. a ] Gowers summarizes his ideas concisely a ] . Gowers, makes a persuasive case about the importance of mathematics a ] through a masterful talk. Mathematicians a ] ought to watch this video a" and study his technique." (John H. Ewing, Mathematical Reviews, 2004 f)
From the reviews: ..." This is a masterful one-hour lecture, presented at the Millenium Celebration of the Clay Mathematics Institute, which makes the case for mathematics in a clear and convincing way. ... Gowers makes a persuasive case about the importance of mathematics, using examples with exactly the right amount of detail to lead the mathematically literate public through a masterful talk. Mathematicians who find it hard to explain their work to acquaintances ought to watch this video - and study his technique."
John H. Ewing, Mathematical Reviews Clippings from Issue 2004f
for a review of the CMI Millenium Meeting Collection see http: //www.maa.org/reviews/cmivideos.html
"This is a masterful one-hour lecture, presented at the Millennium Celebration of the Clay Mathematics Institute, which makes the case for mathematics in a clear and convincing way. He illustrates by example that sometimes seemingly useless mathematics can be extremely useful in ways that are not immediately apparent. Gowers summarizes his ideas concisely . Gowers, makes a persuasive case about the importance of mathematics through a masterful talk. Mathematicians ought to watch this video and study his technique." (John H. Ewing, Mathematical Reviews, 2004 f)
