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From: greg@harvard.UUCP (Greg)
Newsgroups: net.cse
Subject: Re: Math and CS
Message-ID: <767@harvard.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 10-Mar-86 12:57:27 EST
Article-I.D.: harvard.767
Posted: Mon Mar 10 12:57:27 1986
Date-Received: Wed, 12-Mar-86 21:33:44 EST
References: <256@hropus.UUCP> <6400005@ccvaxa> <77@umcp-cs.UUCP> <1413@garfield.columbia.edu> <6988@duke.UUCP>
Reply-To: greg@harvard.UUCP (Greg)
Organization: Harvard
Lines: 30

In article <6988@duke.UUCP> crm@duke.UUCP (Charlie Martin) writes:
>The basic point of [Knuth's] article was that there are two styles of
>thhought involved, and that being good at one *does not* imply
>that one is good at the other.  As one who is good at algorithmic
>thinking and had to struggle with math, I can certainly attest to it.

I for one don't like making a strict dichotomy between math and computer
science.  There is no one "way of thinking" in mathematics; there are 
approaches to each field of mathematics, and each approach requires different
thought processes in varying degrees.  The same is true of computers.
Certainly some fields of mathematics are very algorithmic, like complexity
theory, while some fields in computer science are very mathematical, like
mathematical computer graphics.

Some of you out there seem to think that the abilities of a coworker,
colleague, or prospective employee can be reduced to a simple "University
of Texas, 1982, B.S., C.S.".  Well, a diploma by itself doesn't say anything
about how much creative insight, self-discipline, ability to learn, common
sense, "deep understanding", ability to work with others, experience, or
broad knowledge its owner has.  Whatever his or her diploma says, a college
graduate may or may not have major side interests, which may or may not
be appropriate for the particular position (s)he has or is applying for.

For example, if you had a position open for a researcher in the state-of-
the-art computer graphics, and Richard Feynman and my friend-Teddy-with-a-
C.S.-degree applied for the job, which should you hire?  My answer is Richard
Feynman, because he is a genius, while Teddy is not, despite the fact that
Feynman's degree is in physics.
-- 
gregregreg