Bearded scholar in vintage suit writing on a chalkboard filled

About this image

This vintage-inspired scene shows a bespectacled man in a brown suit presenting mathematical formulas on a large chalkboard labeled “Mathesis.” Surrounded by candles, old books, a globe, and a warm library atmosphere, the image evokes the history of math, geometry, and scholarly pedagogy.

Comments (13)

• @CaylaCatz · Mar 25, 2026

  I liked calculus. My problem was geometry. I have a hard time thinking of math physically. So I had problems in physics too as it's like a higher math geometry class. You have to use logic to decide how to apply the math and my logic didn't run in those pathways. I once explained why I chose the math I did to the physics assistant and he was surprised that it was logical and all fit together even though it was all wrong. I probably needed to take an applied logic class or something. Or maybe a carpentry class to understand physical geometry better. I think that would've helped with physics maybe. Those days are long past tho.

• @CaylaCatz · Mar 26, 2026

  Or you might have been more interested in other classes. That's one of the things I liked about college as opposed to high school. You get to really dive into things that interest you. Each semester I'd sign up for too many classes and inevitably I'd have to drop 1 or 2. Almost always they were the classes I didn't connect with. Which meant it took me some time to get around to finish a few required courses, lol.

• @CaylaCatz · Mar 30, 2026

  I did college differently than most people. I was working fulltime on the postal graveyard shift. I started off with a computer science major and then switched. And then switched again. I found since I was working fulltime, I could only finish classes that I loved. If I took a class and the professor's voice put me to sleep, I'd drop it because I was so sleepy anyways coming off shift and going straight to class at 7am.

• @DavidP · Mar 30, 2026

  That sounds challenging. It also explains your wide general knowledge and interests --- I was far more conventional. Went to varsity after school, studied a BSc degree major in Computer Science, then did the Honours post-graduate year in Computer Science. After that had to do my 2 years conscripted national service in the army before starting work as a programmer as they were called back then

• @DavidP · Mar 25, 2026

  I was great with maths through high school, but struggled when I got to varsity. All that calculus etc. Though to be fair I could have worked harder - a lot harder - to try and grasp it.

• @CaylaCatz · Mar 25, 2026

  laughing! Bad memories and great usually don't go together. I take out math was not your favorite subject, lol.

• @DavidP · Mar 26, 2026

  I think your college works differently to how I experienced university when I was studying for my BSc, computer science major.

• @DavidP · Mar 25, 2026

  That brings back lots of bad memories 🤣 Great image

• @DavidP · Mar 26, 2026

  I was OK with geometry and enjoyed our class that focused on logic which we had to take in second year as part of a computer sceience major curriculum. Just somehow all the rules for differentian and integration just didn't land for me. I have a well developed capacity for abstract, conceptual thinking. Guess as I say, I just never applied my mind sufficiently. Or maybe the lecturers just didn't land it well

• @CaylaCatz · Apr 2, 2026

  I wish I could have stock with programming. It was a good career for our age group for a good long time. So you did good. I did it my way because my family couldn't pay for college so I was paying my own way. I dropped out a couple of times because it's hard to do it that wya but would go back. I did eventually finish my bachelors.

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