VIDEO: Mathematicians, physicists and super geniuses + Wall Street from Daily Show

[Ryan Goble]

Interesting interview re: this new book - 

The Quants: How a New Breed of Math Whizzes Conquered Wall Street a... by Scott Patterson (Hardcover - Feb. 2, 2010)

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Scott Patterson
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[MariaD]

I have some mathematician and physicist friends working for these companies. I think people should try and focus on what good their work does to humans. I am all for abstractions, and for pure art and for pure science, because humans appreciate those, but finance is neither.

[Ryan Goble]

I can't imagine the entire industry is crummy, but these folks might need to invest in a better PR department. I don't know many folks that are aware of positive social outcomes of the financial industry's work.

I mean innovative & abstract math = cool - but if that work increases socioeconomic stratification and create global suffering = not so cool. Obviously the basic science that drove the Manhattan project = revolutionary, Hiroshima/Cold War = not so cool.

[MariaD]

Some financial NGOs do wonderful things, like "people's banks." I wish more mathematicians applied themselves there.

[Ryan Goble]

Yes, and micro loans as well. I think the clip and book talks more about the Goldman Sacs/ J.P. Morgan types. I'd even settle for more of these folks working at NASA like the olden days :)