Terrence Howard, an actor who has garnered critical acclaim for his performances in films such as Hustle & Flow and Iron Man, as well as in the television series Empire, has recently become known for a rather peculiar set of beliefs that have been widely circulated online, particularly following an appearance on the Joe Rogan podcast. Although the podcast is three hours long and I have not watched it in its entirety, I have seen numerous sensational clips and have also observed other interviews and his talk at an Oxford University student club.
For some time now, Howard has claimed to have developed a new mathematical theory, which he refers to as “Terryology.” Yes, he actually named it after himself. Before delving into this controversial theory, it's worth noting some of Howard's other extraordinary claims.
He asserts that he has memories from inside his mother's womb, at one point even recalling seeing his own hand without recognizing it. He also claims to remember his own birth and circumcision.¹
It is essential to state the obvious: such memories are biologically impossible. The human brain is not sufficiently developed to form memories at such an early stage. This developmental milestone occurs much later. Only someone who is delusional, a narcissist, or both would claim to be the sole exception to a well-established scientific fact.
During a red-carpet appearance at the Emmys a few years back, Howard made the following statement:
“I’ve made some discoveries in my own personal life with the science that Pythagoras was searching for. I was able to open up the flower of life properly and find the real wave conjugations that we’ve been looking for, for 10,000 years. Why would I continue walking on water for tips, when I’ve got an entire generation to teach a whole new world?”
There’s a lot to unpack here.
Pythagoras
Firstly, Pythagoras was not a scientist, not really. He was obsessed with numbers, that’s for sure. The famous theorem attributed to him was was more than likely developed by his followers. Pythagoras himself was more of a mystic who believed in the inherent power of numbers, so the notion that he was searching for any scientific truth in the modern sense is flawed.
Flower of Life
The term "Flower of Life" refers to a geometric figure composed of multiple evenly-spaced, overlapping circles. While visually appealing, it holds no mystical or scientific significance. The idea of “opening it up” is essentially meaningless.
Wave Conjugations:
The phrase "wave conjugations" is nonsensical. Conjugation is a term used in language, not in the context of waves. This statement appears to be more pseudo-scientific gibberish.
Walking on Water:
The analogy of "walking on water" presumably alludes to a miracle, possibly referencing Jesus. Howard’s comparison of himself to such a figure is both grandiose and baffling.
Terryology
The biggest claim from Howard is that the entire concept of Mathematics is wrong. His “proof” is that according to him:
1x1=2
Even a child knows that 1x1=1. Howard argues that multiplication means "to make more," and therefore, 1x1 cannot equal 1 because it doesn’t increase the quantity.
However, multiplication is defined as repeated addition of a number. 1x1 means adding 1 to itself one time, which equals 1. This basic concept is understood by most children, yet Howard remains convinced that the global consensus on mathematics is incorrect, except for him, the self-appointed visionary.
Howard even sent his “paper” to Neal DeGrasse Tyson, a respected scientist. Tyson, taking the time to review Howard's ideas, annotated the document with red ink, which Howard interpreted as a sign of animosity. This event occurred about eight years ago, but following Howard’s appearance on the Joe Rogan podcast, Tyson felt compelled to release a response video, which I have linked below:
Tyson's video provides an in-depth refutation of Howard’s claims. I recommend watching it for a more scientific counterpoint to the ideas Howard presented. Numerous YouTube videos also dissect Howard's discussions on Joe Rogan and his other interviews.
The most troubling aspect of this situation is not Howard himself, but the individuals who believe in his theories. I believe this group is small, and I hope it remains so.
Occasionally, my son will ask me about something he heard on YouTube, to which I respond by either answering his question or looking it up together. I am grateful he seeks my guidance, but I worry about those children who don’t ask or have no one to consult.
I am not advocating for Howard to be de-platformed or canceled, but I do believe that anyone interviewing him should begin with disclaimers and actively refute his pseudoscience.
There is much more that could be said about Terrence Howard, but for now, this should suffice.
Thank you for reading.
The median IQ of the US has decreased, despite access to almost unlimited information from verified sources.
That said, there is something about the social media era, coupled with the trauma of Covid, that has unbalanced millions of minds...allowing them to easily proclaim and readily believe fact-free or disproven theories.