Jordan comments on On the Fence? Major in CS - Less Wrong

18 Post author: talisman 07 May 2009 04:26AM

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Comment author: Jordan 07 May 2009 05:32:20AM *  4 points [-]

Seconded. Random bits I couldn't manage to form into a cohesive comment:

I'm a math ABD on the verge of dropping out (to pursue a software project, no less) . I actually am doing really good research and probably have a promising academic career ahead, it's just not exciting.

I'm always dumbfounded by how much more interesting CS grad students seem (not necessarily their work though, the kings there would have to be the physical sciences).

Math has definitely restructured my brain in great ways. I program a lot too, and programming has done likewise. I think the best thing I've gained from math, though, is the perseverance necessary to do good research, which comes in handy elsewhere for sure.

My recommendation: if you major in CS, take some real math courses on the side.

Comment author: IlyaShpitser 25 May 2012 07:45:39PM 0 points [-]

Seconding this recommendation.