Manjul Bhargava, Convocation 2016 Honorary Degree recipient

TL;DR

Mathematician shares his personal journey, emphasizing the importance of a liberal arts education and pursuing passions in unexpected realms.

Transcript

president Gertler Chancellor Wilson president Robbins distinguished guests of the convocation the professors and administrators and staff of U of T who are present here today and of course most importantly the University of Toronto Victoria College graduating class of 2016 and Families congratulations to all of you and thank you so much house kind ... Read More

Key Insights

• 🥰 Liberal arts education at the University of Toronto provided the speaker with a well-rounded perspective and allowed him to pursue his passion for mathematics.
• 🥰 Mathematics is a creative subject, similar to the arts, and it has historically influenced the development of other disciplines.
• 🎥 The film industry in Hollywood often struggles with diversity and stereotypical portrayals of characters.
• 🚨 The story of Srinivasan Ramanujan highlights the importance of universal education and the potential for talent to emerge from unexpected places.
• 🥺 Pursuing one's passions can lead to unexpected opportunities and experiences.
• 🤗 The speaker encourages graduates to be open to new fields and endeavors, as they may have unforeseen connections to their main interests.
• 🥰 A liberal arts education prepares individuals to find inspiration and make meaningful contributions in various realms.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did the speaker's love for language, poetry, and music lead him to mathematics?

The speaker enjoyed the patterns and rhythms in language, poetry, and music, and he discovered that these artistic elements were also present in mathematics. This realization sparked his passion for the subject.

Q: Why did the speaker want to bring Ramanujan's story to the big screen?

The speaker was inspired by Ramanujan's personal and mathematical journey. He believed that the story would inspire others, and he saw it as an opportunity to highlight the importance of universal education.

Q: Why did the film about Ramanujan face difficulties in Hollywood?

The film faced challenges due to the non-white lead actor, the portrayal of a mathematician as a normal and pleasant person, and the refusal to include fictional romantic subplots. Stereotypes and investor concerns hindered the creation of the film.

Q: What role did the speaker play in the making of "The Man Who Knew Infinity"?

The speaker served as an associate producer and contributed to the script. He worked closely with the writer, director, and other mathematicians to bring Ramanujan's story to the screen.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The speaker, a mathematician, reflects on his love for the liberal arts and how it led him to mathematics.

• He shares his personal connection to Srinivasan Ramanujan, an Indian mathematician who inspired him.

• The speaker discusses his involvement in the making of the film "The Man Who Knew Infinity," which tells the story of Ramanujan's life and achievements.