[FOM] P NP buzz

William Messing messing at math.umn.edu
Sun Aug 15 10:29:34 EDT 2010


Credentialed is not a mathematical or logical concept and is, sometimes, 
nothing more than being admitted as a member of a club.  What Groucho 
said with regard to this is relevant.  On the other hand in mathematics, 
eventually what counts is one's results, not one's credentials.  History 
abounds with instances where it took a great while for one's greatness 
to be recognized.  Abel is a canonical example.  Hopefully progress is 
being made and Apery's proof that \zeta(3) is irrational is an instance 
where out of the blue an important result was obtained.

Bill Messing


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