Goethe is most certainly correct. However, the current problem is that most of the folks who have worked to demonstrate proof-checking capabilities are getting near retirement age, and the torch needs to be passed to a new generation. Unfortunately, the new generation is looking for fields for which there is funding, and infrastructure for generic mathematics is pretty far down on the list for funding agencies. What is needed is someone influential to rearrange the list. Or someone influential to attract new sources of funding -- e.g., perhaps rich individuals. At 06:28 AM 3/3/2006, David Wilson wrote:
What is needed is not an influential voice so much as an ambitious doer, someone who will start the project instead of talking about it. As Goethe said:
What you can do, or dream you can do, begin it! Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.
If someone started such a project, those influential people with opinions on the way it should be carride out would soon be on the bandwagon, and probably take over the project.