Stephen King and J.K. Rowling have found themselves in an unusual and escalating debate over something unexpected—syntax and math. This new disagreement adds another layer to their complex relationship, which has seen both praise and controversy over the years.
Stephen King has often praised Rowling’s work. He has expressed admiration for the Harry Potter series, calling it a “sumptuous seven-course meal” and noting how Rowling’s storytelling has impacted him personally. He also lauded her more recent work, particularly the Cormoran Strike novel The Running Grave, for its gripping readability and dark themes.
However, their relationship hasn’t been without tension. King has publicly disagreed with Rowling’s controversial views on transgender issues, which led to a public fallout where Rowling even blocked him on social media. It appears that the block is no longer in place, as they recently clashed again, but this time over a more peculiar matter—syntax and math.
In one of Rowling’s comments on transgender rights, she mentioned, “Whatever the square root of not giving a fk is, that’s where I am.” King responded by pointing out what he saw as a mathematical error, suggesting that “not giving a fk squared” would imply a larger amount of indifference, while the square root would actually indicate less.
Rowling hit back, explaining that she intended to express a small fraction of indifference, not a mathematical square root. She jokingly suggested that a “certified f**kologist” would be needed to settle the debate.
Their exchange has sparked a broader discussion among fans, with each side rallying in support. Despite the gravity of their earlier disagreements, Rowling seems to have come out ahead in this particular debate about syntax and math. However, fans of both authors are likely to continue engaging in discussions about their complex and evolving relationship.
