Opinionated History of Mathematics

About Opinionated History of Mathematics

History of mathematics research with iconoclastic madcap twists

Publisher

Intellectual Mathematics

Category

history · science · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

Yes

First episode

21 Nov 2018

Latest episode

15 Jul 2025

Latest episodes

1 of 40 episodes have a transcript.

1. 

   15 Jul 2025TRANSCRIPT

   Death of Archimedes

   Archimedes’s emblematic death makes sense psychologically and embodies a rich historical picture in a single scene. Transcript Archimedes died mouthing back at an enemy soldier: “Don’t disturb my circles.” Or that’s how the story goes. Is this fact or fiction? We have third-hand accounts at best so there is plenty of room for doubt. But … Continue reading Death of Archimedes

2. 

   30 Dec 2024

   Torricelli’s trumpet is not counterintuitive

   There is nothing counterintuitive about an infinite shape with finite volume, contrary to the common propaganda version of the calculus trope known as Torricelli’s trumpet. Nor was this result seen as counterintuitive at the time of its discovery in the 17th century, contrary to many commonplace historical narratives. Transcript Torricelli’s trumpet is not counterintuitive. Your … Continue reading Torricelli’s trumpet is not counterintuitive

3. 

   29 Nov 2023

   Did Copernicus steal ideas from Islamic astronomers?

   Copernicus’s planetary models contain elements also found in the works of late medieval Islamic astronomers associated with the Maragha School, including the Tusi couple and Ibn al-Shatir’s models for the Moon and Mercury. On this basis many historians have concluded that Copernicus must have gotten his hands on these Maragha ideas somehow or other, even … Continue reading Did Copernicus steal ideas from Islamic astronomers? (https://intellectualmathematics.com/blog/did-copernicus-steal-ideas-from-islamic-astronomers/)

Inside a recent episode

Death of Archimedes

Published 15 Jul 2025 · Transcript excerpt

[…] You know, there were little fake news in there to dilute the facts. It's very much possible that the circumstances of Archimedes' death were very well known. They were well documented at the time and perhaps for generations afterwards. It is reported that a personal friend of Archimedes wrote a biography, which is now lost, but which could very well have been an excellent and reliable source available for some times in good libraries. Another credible source is the Greek historian Polybius. Polybius writes about Archimedes' military machines. That's part of his text still exists. He doesn't mention the death of Archimedes in those surviving texts, but certain parts of his works have been lost. […]

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

95,062

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.5 / 5

131 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 51 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

41

Social presence

0

YouTube

85

Engagement

67

Contact Opinionated History of Mathematics

Guest appearances

Books guests

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