Should You Collect Math Books

The Math Sorcerer

14 Sept 202312:34

EducationalLearning

32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThe speaker, an avid collector of various items including math books, shares his passion for collecting inexpensive math books from platforms like Amazon. He emphasizes the value of these books as both collectibles and educational resources, offering old books as a means to gain new knowledge. The speaker also discusses the niche appeal of math book collecting, the joy of owning rare editions, and the potential for discovering historical connections through previous owners' inscriptions. He encourages others, especially math enthusiasts and students, to consider collecting math books for their educational value and the unique experiences they offer.

Takeaways

📚 The speaker collects math books as a personal hobby, driven by a lifelong passion for collecting various items.
💡 Collecting math books is not just about owning them, but also using them as a resource to learn and gain new knowledge.
💰 Math books are often inexpensive, making them an accessible and budget-friendly option for collectors.
🔍 The speaker recommends purchasing used math books, often found on Amazon, to save money and still acquire valuable knowledge.
📖 Math books are unique collectibles because they can be both a source of learning and a nostalgic item from one's educational past.
🌐 Collecting math books can be a niche hobby, as they are not commonly collected items, which may add to their appeal for some.
🏫 The speaker suggests that even non-math majors could benefit from collecting math books, as they can serve as a resource for learning and review.
📦 Some math books come with historical value, such as having a person's name or being an examination copy, which can increase their collectible appeal.
📈 Collecting math books can provide multiple resources for learning, allowing one to compare different explanations or approaches to mathematical concepts.
🌍 The availability and cost of collecting math books can vary by location, with some regions offering unique selections due to historical or cultural context.
🎓 For math majors, collecting books is almost a necessity, as it provides a variety of perspectives and resources for understanding complex mathematical concepts.

Q & A

Why does the speaker collect math books?
-The speaker collects math books because they are a collector by nature, having collected various items throughout their life, and they find math books to be inexpensive and valuable for learning.
What was the speaker's first collection?
-The speaker's first collection was coins, which they sold at the age of 10 to try to buy a Nintendo console.
Where does the speaker typically find math books to collect?
-The speaker typically finds math books on Amazon, often purchasing used copies which are inexpensive.
What is unique about collecting math books compared to other collectibles?
-Math books are unique because they are collectibles that can also be used for learning, offering both knowledge and the joy of collecting.
Why might someone collect math books even if they don't plan to read them?
-Some people collect items without necessarily using them, and in the case of math books, they might serve as a reminder of their interest in math or provide a resource for future learning.
What is special about the person's name being in a math book?
-Having a person's name in a book adds a personal touch and historical context, possibly connecting the current owner with the previous owner's story or experiences.
Why are math books considered niche collectibles?
-Math books are niche because not many people collect them, making them a unique and less common item to collect compared to more mainstream items like coins or cards.
What advice does the speaker give about the value of a math book?
-The speaker advises that a dust jacket and being an examination copy can make a math book more valuable, as they are rarer and in better condition.

Outlines

00:00

📚 The Passion for Collecting Math Books

The speaker expresses their lifelong passion for collecting various items, including math books. They justify their interest in collecting math books not only as a collector's hobby but also as an educational pursuit. The speaker emphasizes the affordability of old math books, often found on Amazon, and the unique value they hold as both collectibles and knowledge resources. They argue that math books are niche items, often inexpensive, and can provide new knowledge even if one doesn't plan to read them immediately.

05:01

🔍 Collecting Math Books as a Niche and Educational Hobby

The speaker delves into the specifics of collecting math books, highlighting the personal and historical connections one can have with these items. They mention the joy of finding books with previous owners' names, which can lead to intriguing stories and a sense of connection to the past. The speaker also discusses the value of dust jackets and examination copies, as well as the unique smell of old books. They advocate for collecting math books as a way to learn and reminisce, suggesting that one might look back fondly on their collection in the future.

10:03

🛍️ Budget-Friendly Collecting and the Joy of Discovery

The speaker continues to extol the virtues of collecting math books, particularly for those on a budget. They discuss the availability of old editions and the potential to find rare or valuable books in thrift shops and estate sales. The speaker also touches on the international aspect of book collecting, noting the differences in availability and shipping costs. They conclude by encouraging viewers to consider collecting math books, regardless of their current interest or expertise in the subject.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Collector

A collector is an individual who gathers and maintains a collection of items, often with a specific theme or interest. In the video, the speaker identifies as a collector who has been gathering various items, including math books, throughout their life. The concept of collecting is central to the video's theme, as it explores the personal enjoyment and potential benefits of collecting math books.

💡Math Books

Math books refer to books that focus on mathematical concepts, problems, and theories. They are the primary subject of the video, with the speaker discussing their personal collection and advocating for others to consider collecting them as well. The video emphasizes the value of math books not only as collectibles but also as educational resources.

💡Low Dollar Collector

A 'low dollar collector' is someone who collects items that are relatively inexpensive. The speaker uses this term to describe their collecting habits, where they focus on acquiring items, such as math books, that are cost-effective and can be found for a few dollars, often through platforms like Amazon.

💡Amazon

Amazon is an online marketplace where the speaker often purchases their math books, specifically used copies. It is mentioned as a resource for finding affordable math books, and the speaker suggests looking for used copies or older editions to get the best deals.

💡Collectibles

Collectibles are items that are sought after by collectors due to their potential for appreciation in value or for their personal interest. In the context of the video, math books are considered collectibles because they can be both valuable and educational, offering the dual benefit of learning and collecting.

💡Niche

Niche refers to a specialized segment or category that is not mainstream. The speaker mentions that collecting math books is a niche hobby, implying that it is not widely practiced but can be appealing to those with a specific interest in mathematics.

💡Budget Level Collecting

Budget level collecting indicates a collecting approach that is mindful of cost, often seeking out items that are affordable. The speaker identifies as a budget level collector, emphasizing the affordability of math books as a reason for collecting them.

💡Dust Jacket

A dust jacket is a removable paper cover that wraps around a book, often featuring artwork and information about the book. In the video, the speaker points out that a dust jacket can make a book more valuable, especially if it is in good condition.

💡Examination Copy

An examination copy is a version of a book that was sent to teachers or reviewers for evaluation, often marked as such. The speaker notes that having an examination copy can make a math book rarer and potentially more valuable to collectors.

💡Old Books

Old books refer to books that have been published for a long time and may no longer be in print. The video discusses the appeal of old math books, which can be inexpensive and offer a sense of history, as well as the possibility of containing unique or outdated mathematical content.

💡Learning

Learning is the process of acquiring new knowledge, skills, or understanding. The speaker emphasizes that one of the main reasons to collect math books is for the purpose of learning from them, suggesting that they can serve as a lifelong resource for mathematical knowledge.

Highlights

The speaker is a collector by nature, having collected various items throughout their life.

At the age of 10, the speaker sold their coin collection to afford a Nintendo, showcasing their history with collecting.

The speaker collects inexpensive items, including math books, due to their low cost and availability.

Most of the math books are acquired from Amazon, often in used condition, emphasizing the affordability of collecting math books.

Math books are special collectibles because they can be used for learning, offering 'old books, new knowledge'.

The speaker argues that even if one doesn't read their collection, the act of collecting can still be meaningful.

Math books are a niche collection, making them unique and potentially more valuable.

The speaker suggests that collecting math books can be beneficial for those learning math, providing a personal library for reference.

Collecting math books can be a sentimental journey, with the possibility of reminiscing about one's college days.

The presence of people's names in the books adds a personal touch and historical context to the collection.

Collecting can include finding books with dust jackets or as examination copies, which can increase their value.

The speaker mentions owning books from the personal collection of notable individuals, adding prestige to the collection.

Books by semi-famous mathematicians or with Wikipedia pages are considered cool collectibles by the speaker.

The speaker encourages collecting math books even on a budget, suggesting places like thrift shops or estate sales.

Collecting math books can provide multiple resources for learning, as the speaker owns 30 abstract algebra books.

The speaker promotes their own math courses for those interested in learning more about mathematics.

The speaker concludes by encouraging the audience to consider collecting math books and to continue engaging with math.

Transcripts

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