bubblyworld 2 hours ago

Why is this on the front page of hacker news? Hopefully that comes across as a genuine question and not snark. I mean as an ex-mathematician I'm thrilled, but schemes are an incredibly abstract object used in an incredibly abstract branch of mathematics (algebraic geometry).

  • nhatcher an hour ago

    I have the same question in my mind. Also thrilled though. I think there is a genuine fascination in HN and in general with Grothendieck [1], [2].

    [1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Grothendieck [2]: https://hn.algolia.com/?q=Grothendieck

    • bubblyworld an hour ago

      Interesting, yeah. I guess he was the mathematical equivalent of the "rogue" archetype. Brilliant, did things in his own way, total lack of respect for authority, shrouded in mystery. I can definitely see the appeal =)

  • ssivark an hour ago

    Sometimes, the best way to learn about abstruse topics one has a passing curiosity in is to upvote what pops up on HN and hope that some nerd might drop by and comment with a simplified intuitive picture for plebs :-)

pixelpoet 8 hours ago

What's up with the raccoon on page 67?

  • sam1r 7 hours ago

    oh yeah! that is insane.