Free Web NovelChapter 588: Chapter 342: By the way, I am one of them.
Zhao Yi wasn’t feigning respect for Wiles to appear magnanimous.
He had no need to.
Ever since he solved the Goldbach Conjecture, he has been considered one of the world’s top mathematicians. He is a scholar renowned for his research, not a star who relies on a constructed persona or good looks. As long as his achievements are impressive enough, his personal traits or appearance are just incidental.
Even if there are stains on his personal life, they don’t affect him at all.
That’s the difference between a scientist and a celebrity.
What Zhao Yi told the reporters were his true feelings. Wiles’s proof which comprises over 100 pages, is definitely remarkable. It contains a large amount of content from various branches of mathematics and is so complex that no one else could fully understand it, which reflects Wiles’s level of expertise.
Not every mathematician can produce a mathematical proof that others can’t understand and yet can’t point out any errors.
Zhao Yi frankly admitted that he couldn’t do that. Compared to Wiles’s extensive mathematical knowledge, Zhao Yi believes that his own foundational knowledge is somewhat lacking.
Furthermore, to be precise, Wiles only made a logical error in his proof. If you disregard the numerous awards and large sums of prize money he received because of this, he simply made a logical error.
During the process of publishing his findings, many institutions and top mathematicians evaluated his work. Some mathematicians even helped Wiles perfect minor issues in the process, but they didn’t notice the logical error in his proof.
The fundamental reason for the criticism Wiles faces now is not because his proof is wrong, but because some organizations, such as the Newton Research Institute, including the Clay Research Institute, feel ’deceived’ by Wiles. Those awarding organizations felt that Wiles ’swindled’ their prize money.
But one thing is certain: Wiles didn’t do it intentionally.
He’s not a fraud, he just made an error in his proof.
He didn’t even realize it himself.
Any scientist conducting any research could make errors. Wiles’s mistake lies in the significant influence of his research, which led to a series of honors and prize money.
Conversely,
if errors in his proof were found from the start, Wiles would still be Wiles. He would still be a professor at a prestigious world university, one of the world’s top mathematicians, and no one would deliberately attack him.
Zhao Yi just expressed his true thoughts, yet that evoked admiration among those around him.
The contradictions between Wiles and Zhao Yi are well known.
After solving Fermat’s Last Theorem, Zhao Yi still managed to express great affirmation for the ’loser’. Not everyone can do that.
Many people gave him the thumbs up.
Zhao Yi responded to the praise with an indifferent smile, and continued with the interview. ƒreewebηoveℓ.com
...
The presentation was over.
The live broadcast by the TV station would also end, and one could only imagine how extensively it would be reported in the domestic media.
Before gaining international recognition, the domestic media had already confirmed Zhao Yi’s proof early on, because nothing unexpected happened during the presentation. Every renowned mathematician who attended affirmed that the proof was correct.
The collective expertise of these mathematicians is in no way inferior to the evaluation teams from Newton Research Institute or Clay Research Institute.
After the presentation, Zhao Yi was treated to a lavish lunch, after which, a large group of mathematicians returned to Shuimu University.
Shuimu University had a full itinerary planned.
Zhao Yi was the protagonist, but he was not the only one being entertained. The visiting mathematicians were also invited to visit Shuimu University, primarily the Mathematics Science Center.
Qiu Chengwen became the ’host’ of the visit. He hoped to use this chance to recruit a few excellent mathematicians to work at the Mathematics Science Center.
Zhao Yi finally couldn’t escape the visit to the Mathematics Science Center. He had declined several invitations before, because he knew that Qiu Chengwen and Shuimu University hoped that he would transfer over.
Qiu Chengwen provided a detailed introduction to the Mathematics Science Center, presenting their facilities and policies on talent recruitment and cultivation, as well as compensation related to faculty and mathematical research. It was evident he was trying to recruit people.
The establishment of the Mathematics Science Center is indeed commendable, not in terms of physical facilities but of ’software’, which includes faculty compensation, student cultivation, and overall operational philosophy, and so on.
Even though it was only recently established, the potential progress is already evident.
Compared to Yanhua University...
Well!
Zhao Yi couldn’t help but shake his head. Yanhua University only has the School of Sciences, without a corresponding mathematics institution. This is likely due to the university being too small, with limited land, few talents and little global influence. It would probably be difficult to get approval for establishing a Mathematical Center with these conditions.
Unless he steps in himself...
Zhao Yi wouldn’t invite trouble by stepping in to establish a research center. This would certainly tie him down and invite all kinds of problems. Perhaps when he reaches Qiu Chengwen’s age, when he would hardly be able to engage in research, he could devote himself to education and take care of these troublesome matters.
Of course,
even if the Mathematics Science Center is exceptional, he has no interest in joining.
First of all, he still wants to enjoy his university life.
Secondly, he never planned to devote himself entirely to mathematical research.
After the tour of the Mathematics Science Center, Zhao Yi was free.
Shuimu University wanted to invite him to give a lecture to the students, essentially freely expressing his ideas in teaching, but he decisively declined and prepared to leave.
After giving presentations and mingling with others for an entire day, including visiting Shuimu University, he felt exhausted all over. The only thing he wanted to do was go back and sleep.
Rest was more important than anything else.
...
Zhao Yi solved Fermat’s Last Theorem, igniting a wave of lively discussions within the country. He has undeniably been called ’the first mathematician’.
Out of the three greatest global mathematical riddles, he single-handedly cracked two. Who else can compare with him?
The academic circles in China were buzzing loudly.
Although internationally famed academic institutions had yet to speak out, no renowned mathematicians stepped forward to point out any mistakes in Zhao’s proofs. So, the acceptance of his proofs is just a matter of time.
It had a significant impact.
The biggest event in China’s academia this year was undoubtedly the election of new academicians, with the elections taking place in June.
Many Chinese scholars, especially mathematicians and several academicians, expressed their belief that Zhao Yi would undoubtedly be elected to the Science Academy. They publicly voiced their opinion, saying, "Zhao Yi must be elected as an academician!"
"If Zhao Yi cannot be elected an academician, we should seriously reflect on the selection rules. Is there a problem with it? Should it be changed? No, it should certainly be changed!"
"With the Goldbach Conjecture, Fermat’s last theorem, and the three-dimensional seismic waveforms - Zhao Yi has three major mathematical achievements. Each is among the world’s top level and one make it into the history books. To be precise, his other achievements, including proving the Collatz Conjecture and so on, are all of top-notch quality. Any single one of them would overshadow most mathematical researchers."
All these opinions come from well-known mathematicians in China.
There’s an academician named Zhou in the Science Academy, who’s almost eighty. During an interview, he confidently said, "If Zhao Yi cannot be elected as an academician, I prefer to give my academician title to him. Compared to him, I’m not qualified."
Other notable figures in the mathematical field also expressed their opinions.
It was normal for mathematicians to express their opinions because Zhao had so many significant achievements. If he cannot be elected as an academician, who else could be?
It’s more awkward if someone is elected along with Zhao.
Several mathematicians who had the qualifications to be elected as academicians simply gave up their eligibility for this year’s election as they could foresee the embarrassment.
Would it not be awkward to get elected along with Zhao Yi?
Once reported, they might become a laughing stock. They’d lose face whenever they went out and might as well remain professors.
Those mathematicians who have already been elected as academicians also hope that Zhao Yi will be elected. Otherwise, they won’t dare claim themselves as ’mathematician academicians’. The public would certainly think like this, "Zhao Yi hasn’t been elected as an academician, why can you be amathematician academician? Is your achievement higher than Zhao Yi’s?"
That would be awkward.
Scholars from other fields also expressed their opinions, but whoever did spoke in support of Zhao Yi. No one would dare to going against the tide saying they didn’t support him at this time.
Actually, the academic world isn’t very harmonious.
The academic community is somewhat similar to other communities, it’s impossible to maintain total harmony. Whether domestically or abroad, those who do the same research will be competitors, and there is also an ’academic disdain chain’ among different research fields.
The election of new academicians brought out more complexities.
The main issue with Zhao Yi’s election was his youth. As Qian Zhijin analyzed, a young person attaining high position through achievements would undoubtedly affect those older people who rely on seniority and relationships.
If future academician selections prioritize achievements, some may even lose their eligibility to enter the selection process.
Those old people, who rely on seniority and relationships, are definitely unwilling to see Zhao Yi elected. But at this point, they had no choice.
From current point of view, it’s definitely better to elect Zhao Yi than not.
If elected, it only impacts future. But if not, it will cause public uproar - the names of those who vote against may be exposed. If this actually happens, those who cast the negative votes will definitely face major damage to their reputations.
Therefore, no one dares to oppose openly.
Of course.
Even if scholars from other fields have opinions, they are useless. Zhao Yi has obtained the affirmation from domestic mathematicians, and all of them voiced their support for his election as an academician.
That was enough.
The selection of academicians in the Science Academy is the responsibility of each department.
Zhao Yi will certainly be applying for ’Mathematician Academician’, which would naturally be managed by the Department of Mathematical Physics. Those who are eligible to vote are the academicians of the Department of Mathematical Physics.
Opposition from scholars in other fields has no meaning.
Thus, with the near ’unanimous support’ from the entire mathematics community in China, Zhao Yi pretty much secured the title of ’academician’ in advance. Only the selection process is left.
While the media and internet were buzzing with discussions, the Department of Mathematical Physics at the Science Academy announced the first round of academician selection results, and Zhao Yi’s name was prominently included.
Zhao Yi also received a message from the Department of Mathematical Physics at the Science Academy, stating that he had passed the first round of reviews in academician selection process.
At the same time, many people sent congratulatory messages. Professor Liu Hemin directly sent a message saying, "Congratulations on your election as an academician!"
"Don’t worry, there won’t be any problems!"
"This year, the Department of Mathematical Physics has seven openings for academics. But it seems they won’t all be filled, as nine of the nominated mathematics professors have given up their selection midway."
"Oh by the way."
"I should mention, I am one of those who withdrew..."
