Why do mathematicians still use blackboards?

We asked Associate Professor Pierre Portal from ANU Mathematical Sciences Institute to describe why the blackboard is such an integral part of his working life, and the enjoyment of mathematics.

“We love them because they are really critical to creating this bit of magic that happens when mathematicians manage to really communicate with one another,” he says.

Photos provided by ANU Archives

#Science #STEM #maths

[champnessjack]

Wonderful video, thank you. I love how slowing things down can open doors of creativity. I worked in a large research lab and was always struck by how, when a mathematician gave a talk, they would never use slides - always the white board - and I'm sure they'd have preferred a blackboard if there had been one. Also having no slides forced them to have the whole argument, beautifully laid out, in their head. Very impressive to an inveterate PowerPoint user.

[kayakMike]

Thats how they learned their entire lives... From before preschool, we had blackboards and chalk...

[bevengeorge]

Very interesting vedio. "The power of Mathematics"

[sierramaestra]

I love black or green boards but I can't find where I can buy large enough one

[jessstuart]

We owe most of our modern world to chalk, coffee, and tobacco.

[uff]

how are you able to interact with each other?

[austinreese]

Ok you convinced me, black is better.