The Poincaré Conjecture

The Poincaré Conjecture is one of Mathematics’ great challenges. Now, it looks as though it has been proved, mainly through the work of Grigory Perelman, a Russian Mathematician. Perelman has turned down an award for his proof. The world of mathematicians can be a strange one at times, full of eccentrics (almost invariably men). The New Yorker has published a really excellent article on the Poincaré Conjecture, and Perelman’s role in it. It also has a very rare interview with Perelman. Go and read the article to get a feel for the world of mathematics and mathematicians.

 

The obsessive quality reminds me very much of the short story by Charles Harness: The Chess Players, about a group of chess players who critique the abilities of one of their number, completely oblivious to the fact that he is, in fact, a pet rat. The only important thing, in their eyes, is whether he is any good as a chess player.