“Elegance in Design”: Mathematics and the Works of Ted Chiang

Abstract

Author Ted Chiang masterfully weaves higher-level mathematical concepts into the fabric of his science fantasy narratives: concepts such as the compactification of the real line, linear orderings on sets, public-key encryption, and Fermat’s principle of least time play profound – if not always explicit – roles in his stories. His unique and compelling narratives have broad emotional appeal: the movie Arrival (2016), adapted from his novella “Story of Your Life (2016),” finished in third place at the box office during its opening weekend. But beyond this, Chiang’s stories are instructive: his readers find themselves learning about mathematics – as well as about linguistics, physics, computer science, and Babylonian cosmology – without even trying. This chapter discusses some of the ways in which Chiang uses mathematics to illuminate nonmathematical concepts; nonmathematical concepts to communicate mathematical ideas; and connections between the two to provide his readers – especially those with some mathematical background or inclination – with literary “aha moments.”