"In our knowledge of the things of the universe (whether mathematical or otherwise), the power to innovate that lies within us is really nothing but innocence. It is the original innocence that we were all endowed with at birth, that lives inside all of us, but is often the object of our contempt and of our most secret fears. This innocence is what brings together the humility and the audacity that make it possible for us to get to the heart of things, but also allows things to deeply affect us and get under our skin so that they leave a lasting imprint on our minds and souls."
Grothendieck's writing is beautifully translated and is a beacon of moral courage.
I don't yet know how to say it, but I quit my PhD for the same reasons expressed by Grothendieck here. I'm not yet interested in talking about it; I feel confident and confused about it. Instead, more, I just felt the need to confess some small sympathy with the ideas expressed in these quotes.
I am one-quarter into "Disciplined Minds", a book by John Pilger. It looks like the author may be addressing similar issues. Have you perhaps read this book?
Thanks for that link. The discussion and comments at the end are fascinating. Sad that STEM is getting dumbed down along with general education.
I've been self-learning analysis and differential geometry for a while now, and feel that the way math is taught at the secondary and post-seconardy level -- and just the way the framing of the subject -- does actual damage to our chances of learning it. What I mean is, a lot of so-called higher-level or advanced math is concerned with unifying generalities. Starting with the most limited, simplest instance of sets -- integers -- makes each iteration into more general terrain seem 'difficult'. Whereas, if math education started with the abstract generality (topologies and abstract algebra), any particular constriction to a domain (complex, reals, functions, etc.) wouldn't seem isolated or unique.
Sounds like quite an amazing and brave individual. We need more of his caliber. Is there a translation of his writing available in English? I would be very interested in reading more of his "Crops and Seeds"
Grothendieck's writing is beautifully translated and is a beacon of moral courage.