Thursday, 22 January 2026

Mathematics distracts from God

I've just returned from the British Film Institute where I went with my brother to watch Eric Rohmer's 1969 film My Night at Maud's. It's a supremely French film of love, relationships, philosophy and religion.  The protagonist has, among other habits, an interest in mathematics.  Early on there was a quick glimpse of a textbook he was looking at.  I tried to read the subfield of mathematics as we got a glance, but it was too fleeting.  Where I did really wish I could quickly whip out my phone and get a shot, though, was the image where the subtitles gave the character's verdict that "Mathematics distracts from God. A useless, intellectual diversion - worse than other diversions."  It would have made a great picture to put on any number of talks I give.   I might have to get a DVD of the film just to be able to make such a screengrab. 

Here's a still from the film's IMDB page, from Maud's flat, during the titular night

 

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