Finding pi and G in Mathland
The author proposes a distinction between "Schelling math" and "mundane math" within the abstract landscape of mathematical theories. Schelling math refers to theories that are uniquely or highly visible and relevant to our physical universe, akin to finding specific constants like pi or the gravitational constant. Mundane math, conversely, encompasses the vast majority of theories that are not directly tied to observable physical phenomena. The post suggests that most scientific endeavor involves identifying mundane mathematical theories that describe reality, while engineering often involves reaching a specific point of Schelling math from within mundane math. A rare occurrence is discovering a consequential piece of Schelling math that opens new physical possibilities, with computability theory cited as an example. AI