[nprecup]

There is 'elite mathematics', just as there are in every other field. Should we come to the same conclusion for every other subject, just because there are a few gifted individuals who dominate their field? Yet, most math that is used frequently is not complicated and anyone can learn it (even calculus). The barriers to obtaining a high level education in mathematics and its related fields (there are too many to count) is less related to the education system and the complexity of the subject material, but more related to public policy and poverty. And hey, would you look at that, we can use statistics and math and our understanding of economics to help solve those too! I think the writer didn't have the interest in math in high school, had a bad experience, and chose to be a historian, as pointed out by tokenadult.