The Ramanujan Effect

New ideas can transform the shape and structure of industry, scholarship, even civilization. This is why we dedicate ourselves to STEAM education, specifically focused on innovation. In some cases a brilliant idea, the steam engine for example, obviously works well and is widely adopted. In short order the first static steam engines used to pump water from deep mines led to a new industrial age. In other cases, an idea or a genius goes undiscovered. This was almost the case for a brilliant young mathematician, Srinivasa Ramanujan. It all came down to the reading of a single letter.

On January 31, 1913 a respected Cambridge mathematician named G. H. Hardy read a letter that began: “Dear Sir, I beg to introduce myself to you as a clerk in the Accounts Department of the Port Trust Office at Madras on a salary of only £20 per annum. I am now about 23 years of age….” and went on to state that the author had made “startling” progress on a new theory and had all but solved the persistent problem of the distribution of prime numbers. The letter ended: “Being poor, if you are convinced that there is anything of value I would like to have my theorems published…. Being inexperienced I would very highly value any advice you give me. Requesting to be excused for the trouble I give you. I remain, Dear Sir, Yours truly, S. Ramanujan”.

That cover letter was followed by at least 11 pages of brilliant results from a range of areas of mathematics. A two time college dropout, Ramanujan’s work has had lasting impact on mathematics. Math touches everything – every industry, all of science and his ideas still have untapped potential. How many other brilliant minds have gone undiscovered? We live In a world where we could easily create more problems than we can solve. Our civilization needs every innovator we can find.

Our SMART vision gives young minds in the developing world a chance to excel. Since we are looking at the case of a mathematician, it is worth expanding on our plans for math. We support students interested in mathematics, theoretical physics, data science, coding or other fields that do not draw heavily on physical campus resources. In principle we could support more “hardware lean” students on the same budget than those with a varied project mix. Example program foci include:

  • Agronomy: Every campus has an experimental farm with a wealth of in-vivo research possibilities.
  • Data Science: Android devices are our primary hardware platform – offering our students industry relevant experience.
  • Food Science: Every campus operates a farm-to-table-shelf-stable vertically integrated food system.
  • Mathematics: Math is a key to the universe.
  • Marketing: Product development and the marketing cycle apply to every industry.
  • Media Production: SMART schools produce content by design and quality production is the focus of these students.
  • Space Science: Our emphasis is on theory and closed loop systems that relate both to earth farms and human space settlement.

Given reliable broadband connectivity the only barrier that exists is access to academic journals for upper year students. One solution we are evaluating is enrolling key students in distance learning courses at universities that provide comprehensive online library accounts. Hardware lean students would participate fully in team projects but specialize in roles that do not require frequent workshop or lab station access. There are generations of geniuses out there who need this sort of support.

Help us spark the Ramanujan effect and inspire an innovation generation. Join the Champions’ Club.