Weekly Potpourri

1)  Some discussion over at Quora re: specialization in mathematics:

https://www.quora.com/Is-it-still-possible-for-a-mathematician-to-be-competent-in-most-of-the-areas-or-fields-of-mathematics

2)  Nice list of 6 easy-to-state, very-difficult-to-solve math problems:

http://www.sciencealert.com/6-of-the-simplest-maths-problem-that-no-one-can-solve

3)  Evelyn Lamb introduces "metallic means" beyond the golden mean, in this fun, tidbit-full post:

https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/roots-of-unity/meet-the-metallic-means/

...also from Dr. Lamb, this moving review of the book, "Hidden Figures":

https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/roots-of-unity/review-hidden-figures/

4)  Gender, math, collaboration etc. (longread; h/t Jim Propp):

https://ilaba.wordpress.com/2016/10/23/a-seminar-room-of-our-own/

5)  Jo Boaler's overview of American math education:

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-math-education-in-the-u-s-doesn-t-add-up/

6)  Peter Woit has placed a free pdf copy of the final draft of his latest book (on quantum theory and mathematics) on the Web here (due out next year):

http://www.math.columbia.edu/~woit/QM/qmbook.pdf

7)  Especially for teachers, new from Fawn Nguyen, wise and thoughtful as always:
http://fawnnguyen.com/good-enough-for-now-curriculum/

8)  And if you need still more math potpourri:

a) the new (139th) "Carnival of Mathematics" now posted:

http://gonitsora.com/carnival-of-mathematics-139/

b) and the new 101st "Math Teachers At Play" carnival as well:

http://www.arithmophobianomore.com/math-teachers-play-blog-carnival-101/

Potpourri BONUS! (extra NON-mathematical links of interest):

1)  Of bongos and physics...  Futility Closet tweeted out one of its older posts this week, putting some classic Richard Feynman on display:

https://www.futilitycloset.com/2013/08/28/higher-things-2/

2)  In the last couple years I've replaced a tennis habit with a pickleball addiction. If you happen to be similarly addicted I've added a few items (t-shirts & bumperstickers) to my Zazzle store:

http://tinyurl.com/zd6p7mx

http://tinyurl.com/zsttl5p

http://tinyurl.com/z49atnu

http://tinyurl.com/glpvdf2