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x + y

A Mathematician's Manifesto for Rethinking Gender

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x + y

By: Eugenia Cheng
Narrated by: Moira Quirk
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Summary
 A brilliant mathematician examines the complexity of gender and society and forges a path out of inequality.Why are men in charge? After years in the male-dominated field of mathematics and in the female-dominated field of art, Eugenia Cheng has heard the question many times. In x + y, Cheng argues that her mathematical specialty -- category theory -- reveals why. Category theory deals more with context, relationships, and nuanced versions of equality than with intrinsic characteristics. Category theory also emphasizes dimensionality: much as a cube can cast a square or diamond shadow, depending on your perspective, so too do gender politics appear to change with how we examine them. Because society often rewards traits that it associates with males, such as competitiveness, we treat the problems those traits can create as male. But putting competitive women in charge will leave many unjust relationships in place. If we want real change, we need to transform the contexts in which we all exist, and not simply who we think we are.Praise for Eugenia Cheng"[Eugenia Cheng's] tone is clear, clever and friendly . . . she is rigorous and insightful. . . . [She is] a lucid and nimble expositor."

--- Alex Bellos, New York Times Book Review

"Dr. Cheng . . . has a knack for brushing aside conventions and edicts, like so many pie crumbs from a cutting board."

--- Natalie Angier, New York Times



 Gender Studies Mathematics Personal Development Politics & Government Social Sciences Women in Politics

Critic Reviews

"A bold and optimistic theory of gender and cooperation, based on the insights of math"—Katy Guest, The Guardian
"On yet another adventure in using the logic of math to address social and emotional issues, author Cheng takes on gender equality...She frames her thinking with relatable examples and anecdotes....Her arguments are both passionate and logical."—Booklist (starred review)
"A carefully developed argument that urges us to discuss character traits without reference to gender."—Kirkus
"Eugenia Cheng is on a mission to change the world for the better, using math.... It's another bold and optimistic thought...if we were ever going to imagine a whole new theory of people, now is as good a time as any to start."—Guardian
"x + y is a book very much designed to change the world."—Times Higher Education
"This is an important topic and an important time to find better ways to have conversations."—New York Times
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