x + y

A Mathematician's Manifesto for Rethinking Gender

By: Eugenia Cheng

Narrated by: Moira Quirk

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

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

Constructive and Progressive

Cheng writes with ease about a subject that both evades and confounds us all with the introduction of a startling new dimension that promises to throw light that may indeed lead us out of the darkness of gendered thinking.

different perspective on society

although, I didn't agree with all of the arguments made by the author, it did provide some excellent insight into how to help others who may have a more congressive personality. (note I am more ingressive...and thus, may be biased)

Really — what’s under the rock?

Terrific shifting of the frame of reference. Great advice for all who teach especially in these fraught times. We do not need the face iff

Everyone please read this book!

Such a great listen! The books is extremely well organized and thought out. The narrator does an excellent job in the reading. Cheng uses concrete language and examples, to explain her very sound argument. She actually introduces new language and a road map forward to the create tangible change in the realm of gendered thinking and the way society values certain characteristics supposedly based on gender. She coherently presents groundbreaking ideas for how to bring about real shifts in society at large that would be of benefit to all, Male, Female, Trans. She does not waste any time in the weeds of this difficult subject but cuts right to the heart of gender and identity. Make the world a better place, read this book!!

Modern day Flatland

This book brings me great joy and relief as I read from the perspective of a middle school math teacher. Eugenia Cheng is a role model and an inspiration to me and I hope to remind myself of this often especially as my family and students are involved.