Self-inflicted problems Memes

Mathematicians literally invented an entire number system just because they couldn't handle the square root of negative numbers. "Oh no, √-1 breaks our rules! Let's call it i and build a whole new dimension of mathematics!" Then they spent centuries developing complex analysis, only to have existential crises when their equations produced results that couldn't exist in our physical reality. The ultimate self-inflicted mathematical trauma. Next time you're stressed about your problems, remember that somewhere a mathematician is sobbing over numbers they made up themselves.

Humans: "Let's invent a number that's the square root of negative one!" Also humans: "OH NO! WHAT IS THIS IMPOSSIBLE NUMBER? MY BRAIN HURTS!" Imaginary numbers are like that friend who shows up uninvited to your party and then somehow becomes essential to quantum mechanics. We literally made up √-1, called it "i", and then had the audacity to complain about how confusing it is! It's mathematical self-sabotage at its finest! Next time you're struggling with complex numbers, remember—you're not solving a problem, you're experiencing the consequences of some mathematician's chaos goblin energy from 500 years ago!