19 DEC 2014 by ideonexus

 John Cleese on Writing and Performing as Science

DAVIES: You know, and you say many times in the book that you're more a writer than a performer. CLEESE: It's always hard for people to believe that because of course, anytime they've seen me it's because I've been performing. You know, they don't go to their televisions and switch them on and see me sitting at home writing, you know? So naturally, people's image is of a performer, but the reality is the writing for me has always been the most important thing and the most rewarding thing. An...
Folksonomies: science comedy
Folksonomies: science comedy
  1  notes
 
16 DEC 2011 by ideonexus

 The Temperament of the Mathematician

It may be observed of mathematicians that they only meddle with such things as are certain, passing by those that are doubtful and unknown. They profess not to know all things, neither do they affect to speak of all things. What they know to be true, and can make good by invincible arguments, that they publish and insert among their theorems. Of other things they are silent and pass no judgment at all, chusing [choosing] rather to acknowledge their ignorance, than affirm anything rashly. They...
Folksonomies: mathematics
Folksonomies: mathematics
  1  notes

Always to acknowledge their ignorance and only indulge in those pursuits in which total certainty may be achieved.