Most people would say modules on game theory will show you how it's applied in modern economics... unless you take it in the department of mathematics, NUS. :(
This module was more like getting into the mind of John Nash, and after taking it, you really know why he went nuts!!!
Today was a pretty unproductive day, besides waking up late and missing a macdonalds breakfast (I had to contend with bread at home), I could hardly seem to get my brain working, unlike yesterday. I guess because its a math module and not an econs one, all the concepts are simply reduced to numbers and symbols. And so the intuitive feeling behind what is going on is reduced to logic and reasoning. No wonder John Nash went crazy. Well, stayed back after sunset prayer to continue sutdying with Gloria and some others at YIH. At least I managed to finish part of my help sheet, the definitions and statement of theorems etc. I really hate it when we need to write helpsheets. Yes, it may be a good form of revision in itself, but it's really troublesome. Got 2 to write this semester.
Not suprisingly, one of my favourite movies is "A Beautiful Mind". A rough biography on the life of John Nash. The part that strikes out is the following part of the movie, when John Nash goes up to make his accpetance speech for his nobel prize.
"I've always believed in numbers and the equations and logics that lead to reason. But after a lifetime of such pursuits, I ask myself, 'What truly is logic? Who decides reason?' My quest has taken me to through the physical, the metaphysical, the delusional - and back. And I have made the most important discovery of my career. the most important discovery of my life:It is only in the mysterious equations of LOVE that any logic or reason can be found. You are the reason I am, You are all my reasons." (paraphrased)
Unfortunately, John Nash never made such a quote in real life. But it's a nice quote, espeically to me. Logic, reason, numbers, equtions are all cornerstones of mathematics. But when all is said and done, as a Christian, I have to remember that it's all about Jesus. The Lord of love.
Indeed it is mystery why Jesus would choose to die a criminal's death for sinners like you and me. What's the logic and reason behind that? Unconditional love.
PS: Watch for tomorrow when I tackle a really funky sounding module, Three-Dimensional Differntial Geometry!!!
