Why this site?

I made this site because I was frustrated when simple concepts were explained poorly. In hindsight they were simple, and if I had to explain it to myself again it would have taken half the time. But I can't go back in time and teach myself; the best I can do is to teach you =).

What will I learn?

I want you to gain an intuitive, high-level understanding of the topics covered. Specifically, you'll get whatever understanding I have.

However, you won't fully learn a subject here -- numerous books and websites exist for the details. I want to give you the "big picture" ideas that make learning the details easier. The gory details are best covered in a class. But keeping the main idea in mind makes the details that much simpler.

Do I need a math/science background?

Not really. Most math and science ideas can be explained simply, and in common language. Some topics require a background, and I will warn you when they do. But try reading about topics you don't understand. You can learn the basic concepts without getting your hands too dirty, and maybe get interested in the subject. In theory, you will be so enthralled that you'll study it on your own =).

Any comments on math? I'm not that good at it.

Math is a tool to me, and a way of succinctly and unambigiously describing the world. Math is not the only tool we can use for describing things (words, pictures, etc.), but it is often the most useful.

Because math is a tool, it is important to know how and why it works. Think of a hammer and nails. You understand that a hammer *can* drive nails, but it can also straighten bent nails, pull out nails, put a hole in a wall, etc. Because you know "a hammer is hard" you can use it for other applications. Math is the same way. (Of course, the realization that "a hammer is hard" is more obvious than most math theories, but those theories can become that obvious in hindsight).

If you just know "plug and chug" formulas, you are limited to one application (a hammer can *only* drive nails). Knowing how and why the formula works allows you to bend it for new applications. If your hammer breaks, you know you can use a rock, or something else that acts like a hammer. If you forget a theory, you can use another one or derive it on your own.

My final point is that math is *not* scary. If it is poorly taught, then it can become scary (but this goes for any subject). Math can be difficult to learn on your own, so it is hard to overcome poor instruction. But this site aims to help give the important revelations that can help you study it. Take my word for it, math is not that bad, and it is a great feeling to understand how it works.

Are you a supergeek?

No! No, no no no no no. Well, yes. I love learning, I can't deny it. If that makes me a geek, then so be it =).