I think once you’re past a certain basic level in math, it’s feasible to continue learning pretty much by yourself, just download problem sets and go through them. But it’s a bit lonely. Going to classes lets you meet other people who are into the same thing as you! Shared love for something is what makes communities happen, I got this idea in Jim Butcher of all places. And the piece of paper itself is also quite nice, it can come in handy unexpectedly, and getting it now is probably easier than getting it later. So on the whole I’d lean toward getting the degree.
About the philosophical stuff, I think “the world and/or my life will be over soon anyway” is kind of a nasty idea, because it makes you feel like nothing’s worth doing. That’s no way for a human being to be! You’re not a potato! Hence it’s better to act on the assumption that neither the world nor your life will be over anytime soon.
I think once you’re past a certain basic level in math, it’s feasible to continue learning pretty much by yourself, just download problem sets and go through them. But it’s a bit lonely. Going to classes lets you meet other people who are into the same thing as you! Shared love for something is what makes communities happen, I got this idea in Jim Butcher of all places. And the piece of paper itself is also quite nice, it can come in handy unexpectedly, and getting it now is probably easier than getting it later. So on the whole I’d lean toward getting the degree.
About the philosophical stuff, I think “the world and/or my life will be over soon anyway” is kind of a nasty idea, because it makes you feel like nothing’s worth doing. That’s no way for a human being to be! You’re not a potato! Hence it’s better to act on the assumption that neither the world nor your life will be over anytime soon.