Meet a Mathematician! - Dr. Ali Nesin

Summary

Ali Nesin, a former professor at Bilgi University and now at Istinye University, shares his journey from aspiring painter to a model theorist in mathematics. He discusses the allure of math's absolute truth amidst a household of artists and intellectuals. Nesin's struggles with the publish-or-perish culture in the U.S. and his eventual return to Turkey to make a meaningful impact through education are highlighted. He takes pride in founding the math department at Bilgi University, creating a popular math journal, and establishing the Math Village, an inclusive educational community. Nesin's narrative emphasizes the pursuit of beauty and sensibility as the ultimate life lessons to pass on to future generations.

Takeaways

• 🎨 Ali Nesin initially wanted to be a painter but was drawn to the certainty of mathematics.
• 🏛️ He was introduced to mathematical proofs by induction at the age of 12, which fascinated him.
• 🏡 Growing up in a household of artists and intellectuals, Ali found mathematics to be the most absolute truth.
• 🔍 Ali is a model theorist, a branch of mathematics that studies mathematical structures in full generality.
• 👨‍🏫 Despite his initial reluctance, most of his students became model theorists, influenced by his teaching.
• 📚 Ali faced challenges in understanding complex concepts early on but developed confidence through persistent effort.
• 💡 He believes in the power of time and energy investment in understanding, which led to his success in mathematics.
• 🌐 In the United States, Ali struggled with the 'publish or perish' culture, which he felt hindered deeper research.
• 🇹🇷 In Turkey, Ali found more meaning in life, believing he could make a difference through education and the Math Village.
• 🏘️ The Math Village is a unique educational space not confined to a specific age group or academic level, aiming to inspire all.
• 📈 Ali's vision for the Math Village started as a summer school and evolved into a larger community with public support.

Q & A

What was Ali Nesin's initial career aspiration?

Ali Nesin initially wanted to be a painter more than anything else when he was around 12 years old.

What sparked Ali Nesin's interest in mathematics?

Ali Nesin's interest in mathematics was sparked by an older person who showed him how to prove things by induction when he was a young person, possibly around 18 or 19 years old.

How did Ali Nesin's father's profession influence his upbringing?

Ali Nesin's father was a writer, and their house was filled with artists, composers, politicians, and writers, leading to discussions about politics, arts, and philosophy, which influenced his upbringing.

What aspect of mathematics fascinated Ali Nesin?

The absolute correctness and truth of mathematics fascinated Ali Nesin, as opposed to the subjective nature of discussions in other fields.

What is model theory, and how is Ali Nesin related to it?

Model theory is the study of mathematical structures in full generality. Ali Nesin is a model theorist by academic background.

Why did Ali Nesin initially refuse to open a model theory course for his students?

Ali Nesin initially refused to open a model theory course, possibly because it became a 'forbidden fruit' that intrigued his students, leading many of them to become model theorists.

How did Ali Nesin's early struggles with understanding mathematical concepts shape his confidence?

Ali Nesin struggled with understanding mathematical concepts at first, but he realized that if he dedicated time and energy, he could understand everything, which gave him confidence.

What was the 'publish or perish' struggle Ali Nesin faced in the United States?

The 'publish or perish' struggle refers to the pressure Ali Nesin felt in the United States to publish research to earn a living, which may have led him to publish more rather than focusing on more profound work.

What is the Math Village, and how did it come into existence?

The Math Village is an educational initiative in Turkey that is not a university or school but a place for everyone interested in mathematics. It came into existence because Ali Nesin felt the need for a dedicated space for teaching and learning mathematics after organizing summer schools.

How did Ali Nesin's experiences in Turkey differ from his time in the United States?

In Turkey, Ali Nesin felt life was more meaningful because he could make a difference and change people's futures, unlike in the United States where he felt more or less useless due to the strength of the system.

What are some of Ali Nesin's proudest accomplishments?

Ali Nesin is proud of founding the math department at Bilgi University, his popular math journal, the Math Village, and the Nesin Foundation, which supports young children in need.