I just thought I'd quickly mention that Melvyn Bragg has again chosen mathematics as the subject matter for his Radio 4 programme
In Our Time. This time it's on the Poincaré conjecture.
Again I'm amazed. Given that this is a series about all aspects of human culture, I think mathematics is actually being well represented. Downloadable as an mp3 from the BBC web site or through iTunes as a podcast.
The two mathematician guests, Marcus dy Sautoy and Ian Stewart did their homework and carefully set up the scene, explaining why topological consideration are important in mathematics of space travel. It was popularisation of mathematics at its best.
ReplyDeleteMelvynn Bragg was obviously enchanted by the image of a 2-dimensional lasso thrown around our universe, he returned to it again and again.