My response to Son of Frankenstein re: mathematics

[_JohnStuartMill]

You're backpedaling, CC. First it was, "Look at this Coyne idiot, saying things about math that are obviously wrong!" Now it's, "Look at this Coyne idiot; he's probably venturing too far afield of his expertise!"

I don't see it as backpedaling.

Sure. But you believe in Sparkle Jesus Magic, so your opinion here is accordingly discounted.

The delicious irony here, of course, is that you're not in a position to make this latter claim, because you are yourself out of your depth on the matter.

I don't know about that. In any event, you are not in a position to judge.

Perhaps not, but I am in a position to point and laugh when you're reprimanded by someone who is.

(You're probably tempted to retort that I'm just as ignorant of the subject here as you, therefore my criticism of you is bad in exactly the same way as your criticism of Coyne. Don't bother: my confidence of your ignorance is not based on any expertise I personally claim.)

To the contrary, I wouldn't claim you are just as ignorant; I would claim you are much more ignorant. (Although, I do not concede I am ignorant on this topic.)

I don't claim to be an expert in the philosophy of math, but at least I know enough to not make an ass of myself by broadcasting my ignorance of non-Platonic views of mathematics. Just sayin', bro.

[_Some Schmo]

...but at least I know enough to not make an ass of myself by broadcasting my ignorance of non-Platonic views of mathematics. Just sayin', bro.

I have a feeling CC not only doesn't worry about making an ass of himself, but actually relishes doing so. Nobody does it with as much flair as he does. I don't think he feels a post is complete unless he's proven he's a idiot one more time. Every post of his carries the redundant meta-message, "CC is an ignorant fool."

*shrug*

[_JohnStuartMill]

If you actually possessed the knowledge you pretend to, you'd know that mathematical platonism is well represented among mathematicians.

(You needn't take my word for it. See here.)

I'm sorry, I must have missed where I said that it's not, or said anything implying the same. Care to point out my misstep?

[_Calculus Crusader]

...but at least I know enough to not make an ass of myself by broadcasting my ignorance of non-Platonic views of mathematics. Just sayin', bro.

I have a feeling CC not only doesn't worry about making an ass of himself, but actually relishes doing so. Nobody does it with as much flair as he does. I don't think he feels a post is complete unless he's proven he's a dip**** one more time. Every post of his carries the redundant meta-message, "CC is an ignorant fool."

*shrug*

Shorter Some Schmo: Me too!!!

[_Some Schmo]

Shorter Some Schmo: Me too!!!

Translation: "CC is an ignorant fool."

Aw shucks. Look... it happened again.

[_MrStakhanovite]

Hi CC!

Do you favor or use Presuppostional apologetics?

[_Calculus Crusader]

Hi CC!

Do you favor or use Presuppostional apologetics?

Hello. No, I'm pretty sure I'm in the classical apologetics camp. My favorite arguments are modal ontological arguments.

[_JohnStuartMill]

If you actually possessed the knowledge you pretend to, you'd know that mathematical platonism is well represented among mathematicians.

(You needn't take my word for it. See here.)

I'm sorry, I must have missed where I said that it's not, or said anything implying the same. Care to point out my misstep?

Didn't think so.

[_Paracelsus]

this myopic, Eurocentric moron

Thank you. I am one of that category.

There are sound differences, really.
We think 300 mile is a big distance. In fact our whole country is smaller than that, measured in any direction.
You, over there, think 300 year is a big time. We are elder.

[_Calculus Crusader]

I'm sorry, I must have missed where I said that it's not, or said anything implying the same. Care to point out my misstep?

Didn't think so.

Some of us have to contribute to the world, junior. Let's look at what I wrote again and what you wrote in response:

My response:

Professor Coyne,

I have no doubt that you are a giant among fruit fly ejaculate researchers but you are an ignoramus concerning mathematics (and other subjects, from what I’ve observed.) Humans did not “invent” mathematics. Not even Euler, Cauchy, Gauss, or the other greats of mathematics could have “invented” the fabulous results of complex analysis. And abstract algebra was advanced without any application in mind but it turned out to be crucial for physics.

But don’t let any of that stop you from babbling about subjects you know nothing about or spinning just so yarns.

You wrote:

Do you say this kind of b***s*** at professional conferences? Because if you do, people ARE laughing at you behind your back.

When I mentioned that I do not attend mathematical conferences, you wrote:

Lucky for you, then.

Implicit in your comments is the idea that mathematicians would find my comments ridiculous. However, the one about abstract algebra is uncontroversial and the one about the greats of mathematics (that list is not meant to be exhaustive, by the way) not being able to conjure complex analysis out of thin air is one that would be received favorably by many mathematicians. So, whence the ridicule? My only other comments are dismissive of Coyne but I am confident that a) most mathematicians have not heard of Coyne and b) most mathematicians would not be inclined to pay attention to him.