Perplexing how it's on the front page then given the background of the median HN user (presumably technical with some STEM background in general, some pure VC bros peppered in etc).
Eh, I just like reading new books on mathematics, even if they're covering well trod ground. I think a lot of people in math are like this. I'm not endlessly grinding through introductory textbooks, but there is something nice about seeing someone brilliant give their take on something fundamental. And the cultural differences you get in reading different texts from different periods or from different authors is really stimulating, for me at least.
I quite liked this interview:
Terence Tao explains 6 essential mathematical concepts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOMx2BHHWtE
I heard he was writing a book about the Cosmic Distance Ladder. I was looking forward to that, I hope this isn't what it evolved into.
The book is quite basic. Don't expect to get much out of it if you have a STEM degree.
It is still good as a book on philosophy of mathematics. Not the best, perhaps, but a solid introduction.
> The book is quite basic.
Perplexing how it's on the front page then given the background of the median HN user (presumably technical with some STEM background in general, some pure VC bros peppered in etc).
The Tao love conquers all, as it were.
I enjoy reading less technical books even on technical topics I know about. They serve a different purpose.
Eh, I just like reading new books on mathematics, even if they're covering well trod ground. I think a lot of people in math are like this. I'm not endlessly grinding through introductory textbooks, but there is something nice about seeing someone brilliant give their take on something fundamental. And the cultural differences you get in reading different texts from different periods or from different authors is really stimulating, for me at least.
He’s the Michio Kaku for AI bros who want to adopt the veneer of associating with an expert.
im not pro-ai-bro but i gotta say some of the maths involved is pretty cool
Previous Discussion (February 2026): https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47113796
TIL about Quanta Books, thanks OP — will be checking this out! :D