A Simple Mathematical Analogy.

Let's say that you know that 2 + 2 = 4. It is common sense; the proof is there in life. But let us imagine, for a moment, that you are put into a place where all of a sudden everyone believes that 2 + 2 = 3. Of course at first you may be shocked. Taken aback. You try to explain the proof for this obvious truth. Have deep late-night conversations with your colleagues. But then you are faced with mathematical equations that when you input your ideology of 2 + 2 = 4, you come out with a very messy answer. Think somewhere along the lines of 3962.458205209582104.

In a moment of abandonment, you try out the theory of 2 + 2 = 3, even though you know that it is wrong. But to your surprise the answer comes out as a very nice 3962. You can work with 3962. It seems so simple. But you are caught in a dilemma. You know the truth. You can use the truth. But that leaves you with something undesirable. And besides, it's not like it will be that much of a big deal. This is only one homework assignment. As if the prof, with over 1000 different students, really cares about what you get on the final. So do you your entire assignment using the 2 + 2 = 3 formula. The pages look neat. The answers are simplified. You pass in your one homework assignment and get a nice grade. And not just a nice grade, but an "A+."

The next homework assignment you use 2 + 2 = 4, hoping everything will be all right. Except you get it back with an "F." This scares you. If there's one thing that no one wants to fail, it is math. So quickly, you change your answers back to 2 + 2 = 3. Another "A+". Relief. You begin to think if your grades are turning out so well then there's no real harm in the formula. So you keep using it. Your marks keep rising. And life is good. For a while.

But then something happens. Nothing major, maybe just a friend comes up and asks you "Hey bud, what was it you said again about the whole 2 + 2 = 4? I still don't understand what you mean." So being the nice friend you are, you begin talking to your friend about 2 + 2 = 4, explaining why it makes sense and why it is so important. But in the back of your mind you are not thinking about the issue at hand. You are thinking about all those homework assignments where you had so clearly used 2 + 2 = 3. Maybe you can get away with it for a little while. Who's going to check on your homework assignments? You can just throw them out after they're graded. So you continue on, not letting yourself think about it. You tell yourself it is all right. It is good to get good marks in math class. After all, math is a nice thing to have in life.

Except you no longer feel comfortable in your math class. How can you listen to your prof talking about mathematical theories or even be seen as a calculus student when you are so purposely breaking the simple addition rule? It doesn't seem right. And so you skip out on the course. You submit your assignments (still using 2 + 2 = 3) online. The "A+" keeps coming. Your average rises.

And yet when you look at every assignment, it feels incomplete. Something that looks so neat and organized now feels like a lie. The marks in your other courses fall behind. The desire for school has vanished. Once again you are stuck.

This leaves you with two options:
Do you
a) Continue on with 2 + 2 = 3, getting that high average but knowing your answers will always be incomplete?
Or do you
b) Change back to 2 + 2 = 4, knowing your answers are right but setting all hell loose, not to mention failing the course?

Math is hard.

"Everybody should believe in something. I believe I'll have another coffee."