Comment by Mattasher
2 hours ago
Interesting document. Especially interesting compared to the Bourbaki movement from a century ago, which was much more focused on universality and correctness, and much less focused on process and attribution (in fact, demanded anonymity).
> Especially interesting compared to the Bourbaki movement from a century ago, which was much more focused on universality and correctness, and much less focused on process and attribution (in fact, demanded anonymity).
The Bourbaki group was (is) about documenting existing mathematics rigorously, not doing original research. This document is specifically about the future of mathematical research.
I consider attribution very important, less because it were associated with some merits for the humans quoted as the sources of certain new ideas, but more because it facilitates going backwards to the historical documents where those ideas were first introduced.
At least for me, in many cases I have achieved a much better understanding of various things after I studied the historical development of the ideas related to them.
Therefore I agree with the point "2." at "Potential Threats". For me a novel mathematical demonstration that is not presented in a way which disentangles its really new elements from the previously known elements, by proper quotation of all relevant older sources, has a value that is many times lower than that of a demonstration with proper attributions.
Ever since I found out the french chopped their kings head off, I've had a quiet respect for those crazy frogs