A recent LinkedIn post from Stanford alumnus and tech business owner Hamza Alsamraee about the importance of math attracted a great deal of online attention. The website Scoop Upworthy summarized the discussion in “How Embracing ‘Useless’ Math Can Enhance Our Thinking.”
Hamza confronts the widespread view that math has little to no practical value. He makes a convincing case for the broader cognitive benefits of math, from sharpening problem-solving skills to fostering intellectual curiosity.
Embracing mathematical thinking enhances students’ mental flexibility. This adaptability not only improves their proficiency in other academic disciplines but also equips them with valuable skills for real-world challenges.
Hamza steps away from math to make a broader point about the value of building a strong academic foundation:
The “useless” stuff you learn in school teaches you how to think. How to analyze problems. How to weigh different perspectives. It’s not a surprise that the smartest people I’ve met in business also happen to have a lot of “useless” knowledge.
