Meet Wojciech Wieczorek. This interview is part of a series of…
By: Cantor S Paradise Team
Tags: Interview, Community, Math, Writer

This interview is part of a series of stories featuring some of the personalities writing for Cantor’s Paradise.

Who Are You?

My name is Wojciech Wieczorek. I’m 27. I’m from Poland. I‘ve graduated as a computer science engineer at the age of 24. From day one, I’ve much love for science; thus, upon graduation, I’ve started theoretical physics studies to which I stick up to today. Besides science, silence, cities’ lights at night, unbeaten tracks are what my heart beats to. In other words, I’m writing my own book rather than reading someone’s else.

What Do You Do For a Living?

I’m a JavaScript engineer who loves coding in vanilla.js, but who wouldn’t mind getting some vanilla alone. I’m a math and physics tutor for… years. I used to work in a technical call center and to what I have sentiment up to now. Some of my calls, I will remember to the end of my life. Also, I’m a so-called writer who tempts to become a full-blood writer; It’s a marathon though rather than a sprint, so I know that it will take much more time to complete. As a peak, a helping-hand man is in me as well.

How Did You Become Interested in Mathematics?

An overused sentence, mathematics being the language of nature, answers why. The universe and everything inside numbers describes. Amaze me, how well the fundamental blocks of addition and subtraction work. In some sense, even life, as we understand it, seems to be government by numbers. And, not only an intelligent one at all. Imagine a cat jumping on a desk, without intuitively used math, he wouldn’t reach the desk. A hibernated bear wouldn’t wake up because his temperature receptors wouldn’t tell him when. And many more… and everything else. After all, I have a question to ask, would you rather say that mathematics was discovered or invented? Give it a thought.

Which Topics Are You Most Interested in?

Science. I love thinking about questions of which came first, the chicken or the egg type. In all those questions, logic is what I’m forward to see. For me, lack of it means that I don’t get the subject quite right, and I have to keep going to connect all dots in the right way.

How Would You Describe Your Writing?

Evolving. I’m learning every day how to even better describe my thoughts by words. Looking back, I can’t believe what mistakes I did in my earliest stories. Also, how many words and grammatical construction was unknown to me on day one. Writing is so much different than speaking. But, from the very beginning, I made friends with “Grammarly”, and “oxford learners dictionaries”, what, when I’m thinking about it, let me dived into a deep ocean without worries about being drowned.

Which is Your Most Popular Story?

“How Eratosthenes Calculated the Circumference of The Earth” and “How Aristarchus Calculated the Size of the Moon” are head to head, so I can’t tell explicitly which one. Yet, both of them taught me about how potential writing on Medium has.

Which is Your Favorite Story and Why?

Regardless of when you read this, the last one. I’m not writing about anything that doesn’t make me feel as light as a feather. All the time, I’m giving all I have to reflect my thoughts by words as well as I can. The later story, the more I knew, and, overall, the sharper the picture emerged.

Which Story is Your Biggest Flop?

No doubt, “Archimedes’ Principle: Bath and Gold. Was the King Cheated or Not?” I’ve expected much more flow than what it had gained. But, hey, not every ball has to find a root to the basket, right?

Who is Your Favorite Mathematician?

Leonhard Euler. Two words, Euler’s identity. As Richard Feynman called it in his lectures “the most remarkable formula in mathematics” and with what I couldn’t agree more.

How Many Unfinished Drafts are on Your Medium Account?

I said to myself, when I was starting, that I will complete every story, so it looks like I have what to do.

What is Your Favorite Math Book?

The first book that came to my mind is “Dialog Concerning the Two Chief World System” by Galileo Galilei. If you haven’t read it so far then I strongly recommend to do it. The mind-opening position, required for those who want to see the rebirth of science. By linking mathematics, science, philosophy, and sociology altogether, it laid the foundation for new. Do you want to see what wrong in Aristotle’s approach to our world was? Why it had to fall down? Learn about the famous ship experiment? Reach for this book — no regrets guarantee. In the end, Galileo Galilei made a breakthrough in the understanding of the world we’re living in. He was truly a brilliant mind.

What is Your Dream Job?

Well, would it be odd to say that I don’t have one? You see, when comes to work, I don’t care that much about the job itself but rather about people I could work with. That’s the first step I’m taking before deciding whether I want to belong to a team or not. Under this condition, as long as the job is within my interests set, I’m more than happy to go for it.

Although, I have an idea that stuck to my head and which doesn’t want to come off. It’s a secret though, so don’t tell anyone, but, have you watched the player one movie already?

Who is Your Favorite Writer on Medium?

Essentially, I’m engaging and having fun upon a completed reading of every followed writers’ story. So, the answer is each and everyone on that list: for me, giving a follow means, “you’re a writing star, keep it up!”

Do You Have Any Advice on How to Succeed as a Writer on Medium?

Be yourself and listen to your inner voice. Too many writers, and generally people, attempting to get into someone’s shoes instead of focusing on their own. What art would look like with only one way to express? Bland, don’t you think? Variety is beautiful. So, don’t be afraid to do things your way!

Find a proper publication. It could look like the biggest one will give you the most, but… not really. Aim to write for thematic publications. Are you interested in math and science? Believe me, Cantor Paradise is the right place for you. And, just give it a try. But, don’t forget about what waits for you. The hard work. In the end, your thought could be mind-blowing, but without keeping your tools clean and sharp, they won’t resonance too deeply and tight.

Where Can People Find You to Learn More?

Mail me.