Oh my goodness. I am utterly elated to find another parent who is raising an alarmingly mathematically precocious child. It sounds like my 7 year old would get on a treat with your little boy. He's currently learning how to translate recurring decimals into improper fractions and last year learned the periodic table off by heart (give him a number between 1 and 118 and he will tell you the element, possibly even its shell structure). I would love to talk!!!
Your 7 year old sounds like a wonder! It would be very fun to let these two loose on a playground and watch them talk math while running wild. I tried to get my nephew into the periodic table of elements but it didn't take; instead he fell in love with maps and can now find all 195 countries on a globe. It's definitely a privilege to spend time with a precocious kid. We're both very, very lucky, I think.
Another fascinating and unexpected ride around the circle (all 2pi radians) of your lunatic mind (meant in only the best sense possible) and experiences. Thoroughly enjoyed this post!
As the parent of a three year old whose favourite phrase is ‘talk me through it’, I felt every word of this! Loved it. Also fully agree with resorting to ‘I don’t know’ to any question when the answer has the potential to terrify you both. That deepening underground tunnel imagery is the stuff of nightmares
LOL at "talk me through it." Yes, sometimes a child's emotional and intellectual maturity is a little mismatched and "I don't know" is for the best. If you want to get any sleep!
Thank you, Will. I wanted to read your piece several times before commenting. I can empathize with your nephew’s need for certainty. It can be eternally allusive in some matters.
I'm really glad you connected to my nephew. Like all children, he expresses the longings we adults "grow out of" (re stop discussing). Lucky to have readers like you who are game for thinking about these big questions.
That was a fascinating (and terrifying) read! Thanks for sharing...but somehow I have to sleep tonight, and I’m not sure how!
I’m glad to hear that I’m not the only one who pictures infinity with depth, even though I don’t have synethesia: it just *feels* deep and wide and endless to me.
Oh my goodness. I am utterly elated to find another parent who is raising an alarmingly mathematically precocious child. It sounds like my 7 year old would get on a treat with your little boy. He's currently learning how to translate recurring decimals into improper fractions and last year learned the periodic table off by heart (give him a number between 1 and 118 and he will tell you the element, possibly even its shell structure). I would love to talk!!!
Your NEPHEW, sorry!
Your 7 year old sounds like a wonder! It would be very fun to let these two loose on a playground and watch them talk math while running wild. I tried to get my nephew into the periodic table of elements but it didn't take; instead he fell in love with maps and can now find all 195 countries on a globe. It's definitely a privilege to spend time with a precocious kid. We're both very, very lucky, I think.
Now this is a beautiful example of writing that I am now aspiring to. Thankyou 🥰
Ah, such a nice compliment and a sentiment I share when reading so many brilliant Substack newsletters. Wishing you well.
Another fascinating and unexpected ride around the circle (all 2pi radians) of your lunatic mind (meant in only the best sense possible) and experiences. Thoroughly enjoyed this post!
Thanks so much, Dave! We're all lunatics here!
As the parent of a three year old whose favourite phrase is ‘talk me through it’, I felt every word of this! Loved it. Also fully agree with resorting to ‘I don’t know’ to any question when the answer has the potential to terrify you both. That deepening underground tunnel imagery is the stuff of nightmares
LOL at "talk me through it." Yes, sometimes a child's emotional and intellectual maturity is a little mismatched and "I don't know" is for the best. If you want to get any sleep!
I thank the Substack whatevers (algorithms? networks of human brains? daemons?) for placing this newsletter in my path. LOVE. IT. (so much)
Thank you, Rebecca! Glad you found it, too. You must have been led here by the online version of a library angel.
Thank you, Will. I wanted to read your piece several times before commenting. I can empathize with your nephew’s need for certainty. It can be eternally allusive in some matters.
I'm really glad you connected to my nephew. Like all children, he expresses the longings we adults "grow out of" (re stop discussing). Lucky to have readers like you who are game for thinking about these big questions.
Been catching up on all of your prior posts and they’re so amazing. Thank you Will!
Thanks, Ryan! Glad you're enjoying these moon musings.
That was a fascinating (and terrifying) read! Thanks for sharing...but somehow I have to sleep tonight, and I’m not sure how!
I’m glad to hear that I’m not the only one who pictures infinity with depth, even though I don’t have synethesia: it just *feels* deep and wide and endless to me.
Terrifying indeed. But maybe we can all descend together, holding hands, with lit candles.
Absolutely fabulous!
Hi Margaret, thank you!
Wonderfully told story....
Thanks, Patrick. Really appreciate you leaving this comment. Awesome to have you as a reader.