tea.mathoverflow.net - Discussion Feed (List of mathematical koans)

Mariano comments on "List of mathematical koans" (17741)

2011-12-19T07:59:53-08:00

It doesn't lend strength to the argument, really.

At best, this thread exemplifies the fact that there are bad soft questions!

Later: (well... if by «these soft questions» you meant «the bad soft questions», yes it does strengthen the argument by providing a new example)

Mark Meckes comments on "List of mathematical koans" (17736)

2011-12-19T05:26:46-08:00

I also completely agree with Andrew.

Angelo comments on "List of mathematical koans" (17733)

2011-12-19T04:46:58-08:00

I completely agree with Andrew.

Andrew Stacey comments on "List of mathematical koans" (17732)

2011-12-19T02:44:38-08:00

It was worth a try since many soft questions followed before.

I'm very glad that you said that as it lends strength to the argument that I and others put forward that these soft questions encourage others so should be clearly discouraged from the main site.

Zeeshan Mahmud comments on "List of mathematical koans" (17731)

2011-12-19T02:19:08-08:00

Thank you all. It was worth a try since many soft questions followed before.

Gjergji comments on "List of mathematical koans" (17728)

2011-12-19T00:30:34-08:00

History has shown that such questions will probably generate a few amusing answers at first but then they become problematic really fast. Either by attracting bad answers or by being the reason people start long debates at meta. I think that it's better to avoid similar questions altogether, unless there is some real motivation, such as needing a list for a talk or article that you are preparing. since this is not the case with your question, I also echo what others have said above.

Yemon Choi comments on "List of mathematical koans" (17727)

2011-12-18T22:36:42-08:00

Echoing Andy, with a slight variation: I think this is an inappropriate question.

Andy Putman comments on "List of mathematical koans" (17723)

2011-12-18T20:00:04-08:00

Even if the definition is tightened, I don't think this is an appropriate question.

darijgrinberg comments on "List of mathematical koans" (17717)

2011-12-18T19:30:26-08:00

But self-referential things are not koans per se. (Not all koans are paradoxes, but the ones you mentioned, except for hypergame, are not koans. They are just mathematical problems with some degree of funniness, but they don't have any "mindfuck effect".)

It's no good to start a list if you are not clear about the definition of what you are listing up.

Zeeshan Mahmud comments on "List of mathematical koans" (17715)

2011-12-18T19:13:36-08:00

@darijgrinberg

No it's not paradoxical but self-referential.

darijgrinberg comments on "List of mathematical koans" (17714)

2011-12-18T19:11:03-08:00

What is paradoxal about quining?

Peter McNamara comments on "List of mathematical koans" (17712)

2011-12-18T19:09:35-08:00

No. This question is very not acceptable.

Zeeshan Mahmud comments on "List of mathematical koans" (17711)

2011-12-18T19:05:21-08:00

Is this big list CW question acceptable?

Of course, the interpretation of a koan can be varied. Perhaps it will help in a taxonomy of paradoxes?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_paradoxes#Mathematics

Some examples not on list:

-Is hypergame a hyperghame?
-Quining (computing)
-Can you hear the shape of the drum? (not a paradox but has a koan flavor)

It can a simple question as:

Why is it that any number raised to the power zero is equal to 1 and not zero ?
http://www.calculatoredge.com/math/mathlogic/logicans4.htm

Related:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hacker_koan