D is for . . .

Here is today's Mad-Cool-Math Nugget:


Image courtesy: Libby

In case the image is too small, this reads: Toilets--Please don't worry if you see someone of the opposite sex in here--They are unisex.

Um, yeah. Okay.

D is for Deliberate Ambiguities

John Allen Paulos, writer and Temple University Math Professor, wrote about deliberate ambiguities in his book, A Mathematician Reads The Newspaper. The following dubious recommendation is a oft-quoted excerpt:

You write to ask me for my opinion of X, who has applied for a position in your department. I cannot recommend him too highly nor say enough good things about him. There is no other student of mine with whom I can adequately compare him. His thesis is the sort of work you don't expect to see nowadays and in it he has clearly demonstrated his complete capabilities. The amount of material he knows will surprise you. You will indeed be fortunate if you can get him to work for you.

If you find this hilarious, you might be more mathy than you think. And if you're ever stuck reviewing a book you absolutely hate, perhaps some deliberate ambiguities will save your butt.