Precisely. Maybe the best way to make math "cool" is to reclaim for it that status of "completely useless but fun knowledge" that Hardy was so proud about in his Apology.
Math is cool, and at least to me is lots of fun. The problem, at least at my university is that all of the lower division math classes have been commandeered by the engineering programs. I enjoy doing a substantial amount of recreational math in my spare time. Unfortunately, the classwork at the lower-levels (basically the calc sequence) basically involves regurgitating formulae over contrived physical problems. At its best, Math can be an extremely entertaining way to spend an evening, or a rainy day; It's at least as much fun as writing or reading poetry, or reading a good novel.
