On 9/26/14, Adam P. Goucher <apgoucher@gmx.com> wrote:
I'd be interested to see ultrafinitists' opinion on the following system of mathematics: [snip] Now, this system is inconsistent, in that there exists a finite proof of false. But no such proof can fit in the observable universe, so someone living in our universe with this system of mathematics would never notice anything amiss. So would ultrafinitist model theorists consider this to be a consistent theory?
I watched the first half or so of this video. Both participants labour under what I consider untowardly naive concepts of "existence", particularly where that notion concerns mathematical concepts. In particular, yer man apparently proposes to base elementary mathematics on contemporary estimates of the size, age and potential computational granularity of the universe, all of which are themselves the culmination of extended chains of mathematical reasoning as well as multiple delicate experiments, and are in any case necessarily provisional!
More importantly, why do all ultrafinitists seem to have surnames of the form ".*berger" (c.f. Doron Zeilberger)?
The "Follies Berger" ? WFL
On Sep 25, 2014, at 11:27 PM, meekerdb <meekerdb@verizon.net> wrote:
An interesting debate (I think Norm won too).
Brent
----- Forwarded message from Norman Wildberger <n.wildberger@unsw.edu.au> -----
Date: Fri, 26 Sep 2014 02:20:26 +0000 From: Norman Wildberger Subject: Video of Jim and Norman's debate on infinity
Hi everyone,
Earlier in the week Jim Franklin and I had a robust discussion on the topic `Infinity: does it exist??' in the Pure Maths seminar. Thanks to all who came and showed an interest in our opinions, and thanks for the many questions and comments afterwards. The video is now at the School YouTube site, at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CiiGdaYEPU
Unfortunately our microphone could not pick up audience questions and comments very well, and in fact our battery died near the end anyway. So apologies for those who asked interesting questions and comments, and we invite you to post them directly on the comments section of the video, where we can try to answer them!
Best Regards,
Norman Wildberger
----- End forwarded message -----
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