# Math, Computers and Music

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/math-computers-and-music/140494>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [December 4, 2002, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/math-computers-and-music/140494 "2002-12-04T18:33:51Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 2

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![DaddyTimesTwo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f07891/32.png) [@DaddyTimesTwo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DaddyTimesTwo)\
**Post date:** [December 5, 2002, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/math-computers-and-music/140494/21 "2002-12-05T17:20:42Z")

</div>

> [@](#):
>
> there are 3 types of musician: those who can do math, and those who can’t

**ShadowWarrior** , you’re very funny.

> [@](#):
>
> Yes.
> 
> And you won’t find very many pure mathematicians who disagree with that.
> 
> In fact, I’d be surprised if you can find any.

**ultrafilter** , could you elaborate on your agreement? I’ve noticed that you are pretty smart at that math stuff. I’d like to hear your opinion and maybe we could change **kitarak** ’s (beautiful? 😃 ) mind.

And thank you, **jovan** , that’s the kind of info I was after.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\
**Post date:** [December 5, 2002, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/math-computers-and-music/140494/22 "2002-12-05T17:44:02Z")

</div>

I dunno if it’s something I can really elaborate on, or that I could change anyone’s mind. It really has to do with my view of math and art, and that’s not something that I acquired through rational means or careful consideration of evidence.

However, I don’t think that **kitarak** is saying that an elegant proof has no beauty, but rather that it’s a different kind of beauty from that possessed by a work of art. I don’t know that I can really disagree with that.

But I am surprised that (s)he disagreed, just like I said I would be.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![kitarak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/898d66/32.png) [@kitarak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kitarak)\
**Post date:** [December 5, 2002, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/math-computers-and-music/140494/23 "2002-12-05T17:55:24Z")

</div>

> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by ultrafilter \*  
> **However, I don’t think that kitarak is saying that an elegant proof has no beauty, but rather that it’s a different kind of beauty from that possessed by a work of art. I don’t know that I can really disagree with that.**

Exactly. Specifically, mathematical proofs are about things fitting together. Bringing parts of a whole together to give something new. Art is expressive - A perspective on what’s already there. Obviously this is a simplification, and not universally true, but it’s the basic essence of my opinion.

> [@](#):
>
> \*\*But I am surprised that (s)he disagreed, just like I said I would be. \*\*

I’m male (although it’s admittedly hard to guess from the screenname).

Also, I tend to have odd opinions on a lot of subjects, so it’s not uncommon for me to be a counterexample to statements like “I’d be surprised if anyone believes X”. Well, not a counterexample as you were indeed surprised. More the lemma proving the theorem “Ultrafilter is indeed surprised.” 🙂

[Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/math-computers-and-music/140494.md?page=1)