x + y

A brilliant mathematician examines the complexity of gender and society and forges a path out of inequality  
 
“This book changed my life in the most beautiful way…Stunning.”—NPR  
 
One of NPR's Best Books of the Year  
One of WIRED’s Most Fascinating Books of the Year 
  Why are men in charge? After years working 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.