Interview with Dustin Clausen

Dustin Clausen is an associate professor in Copenhagen university, working in algebraic K-theory, homotopy theory and number theory. In this interview, Dustin shares controversial opinions on publishing and grant system, tells about his view on leaving academia, and reproduces very vividly a Tarantino style plot of an interrogation in Moscow, for stealing cookies! P.S. Dustin would like to assure the viewers that he did not steal any cookies. Dustin's homepage: https://www.math.ku.dk/english/staff/faculty/?pure=en/persons/467008 Photo: from Copenhagen University webpage Channel podcast: https://anchor.fm/math-life-balance #mathematician​​ #mathlife​​ #interview​​ #numbertheory #quitacademia​ #gradschool​ #jacoblurie 0:00 teasing teaser 0:40 French high school shock 5:04 being grandson of John Tate 8:00 doubts about academic career 9:38 alternative career options 11:01 opinions too negative to share 13:41 disappointments of grad school 15:01 giving a satisfying math talk is impossible 17:01 decision to stay in academia 19:56 publishing is a rotten enterprise 23:51 struggles of refereeing 26:27 mistakes in talks and papers 31:10 my first impression of Dustin 33:17 numbers and homotopies 36:25 Mike Hopkins is the best 40:40 Jacob Lurie as PhD advisor 44:11 not understanding is great 47:44 reading and writing math papers 51:17 “Math in Moscow”: thrilling story 57:00 doing math when you have babies 59:04 distributing grants equally 01:01:02 how to not be afraid of job market 01:03:18 funny reaction to saying you’re doing math 01:05:23 kind words for those who feel demotivated