I propose replacing much-abused Einstein's maxim on madness with the following. "Madness" in a colloquial sense is one's inability to control speech behavior and to put things in orderly progression. Michael Harris may be very smart but is undeniably mad in the sense of above definition. The text is interspersed with long French and German quotes--yes, we understand, he knows these languages--sometimes even Russian and Arabic, and has no logical order to think of. In his ability to make simple things complicated he rivals another algebraic geometer, genial Yuri Manin, [who is not mentioned in his book despite Manin's co-author Drinfeld figuring prominently.--see comments for correction]
P.S. There is an absurd "love" equation on p.357 of notes. There should be time derivatives somewhere!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
According to the index of mathematicians, p. 425, Manin is mentioned on pp 60, 71, 202, 209, 295, 367, and 389, not once in connection with his student Drinfeld. He also has three entries in the bibliography, on p. 413. Did you actually read the book?
Dear Michael Harris,
Certainly I read the book, otherwise where comes my postscript. I cannot say that I read it VERY ATTENTIVELY. Due to my strained circumstances, though, I read most books in Barnes&Noble cafes or public libraries. Please, accept my apologies for this mistake.
Post a Comment