#2 Paul Erdős (The Man Who Loved Only Numbers)
What I learned from reading The Man Who Loved Only Numbers: The Story of Paul Erdos and the Search for Mathematical Truth
Episode #2: Paul Erdős (The Man Who Loved Only Numbers)
Quotes & Commentary
In this episode, we dive into the incredible story of mathematician Paul Erdős. Erdős was obsessed with mathematics from a young age. The abstractness of mathematics provided refuge from the complexities and difficulties of everyday life. He lived and breathed mathematics. He wrote or co-authored 1,475 academic papers, many of them monumental, and all of them substantial. With 485 co-authors, he collaborated with more people than any other in mathematician history.
"Mathematics is the only infinite human activity. It is conceivable that humanity could eventually learn everything in physics or biology. But humanity certainly won't ever be able to find out everything in mathematics, because the subject is infinite. Numbers themselves are infinite. That's why mathematics is really my only interest."
"A mathematician is a machine for turning coffee into theorems." Erdos was known for his intense work ethic, often fueled by coffee and amphetamines, showcasing his dedication to producing mathematical results.
"My brain is open." Erdos was always ready to collaborate and discuss mathematics with anyone.
"It's straight from the Book." This phrase, referencing a hypothetical book containing the most elegant mathematical proofs that only God has access to, reflects Erdos's belief in mathematics's inherent beauty and elegance.
"The SF has this transfinite Book ... that contains the best proofs of all mathematical theorems, proofs that are elegant and perfect." Erdos often referred to God as the "Supreme Fascist" (SF) and believed that the most beautiful proofs resided in this divine book.
"With so many bad things in the world, I'm not sure that God, should He exist, is good.” Erdos's unconventional religious views were intertwined with his mathematical thinking.
"I say that private property is a nuisance." Erdos lived an extremely minimalist lifestyle (e.g. living out of a suitcase and only carrying an orange bag with his mathematical notebooks), renouncing material possessions to focus entirely on his mathematical pursuits.
“The privilege of pleasure in dealing with women has not been given to me.” Erdos was celibate throughout his life, choosing to devote himself entirely to mathematics.
"The first sign of senility is that a man forgets his theorems, the second sign is that he forgets to zip up, the third sign is that he forgets to zip down.” Erdos had a morbid sense of humor and a deep-seated fear of losing his mental faculties, particularly as it related to mathematics.
“To Erdos, being denied the right to travel was like being denied the right to breathe.” Erdos valued freedom of movement and collaboration above all else, viewing travel as essential to his mathematical work.
"You've showed me I'm not an addict. But I didn't get any work done. I'd get up in the morning and stare at a blank piece of paper. I'd have no ideas, just like an ordinary person. You've set mathematics back a month.” Erdos's dependence on amphetamines to fuel his long workdays demonstrates his singular focus on mathematical output.
"If anything is certain, it would be mathematics. It is absolutely certain." Erdos strongly believed in the absolute and unwavering truth inherent in mathematics.
"Problems worthy of attack, prove their worth by fighting back.” Erdos embraced challenging problems, viewing the struggle itself as a testament to their importance.
"If we want to remember Paul Erdos," ... "we should prove some of his conjectures. There is no better tribute.” This quote underscores the lasting impact of Erdos's work and the ongoing challenge to solve his numerous open problems.
"But the aim of life is to prove and conjecture. 'Mathematics is the surest way to immortality. If you make a big discovery in mathematics, you will be remembered after everyone else will be forgotten.'" This quote encapsulates Erdos's core philosophy: that mathematics is the ultimate pursuit, offering both lasting impact and a path to intellectual immortality.