Re: Sociological/Psychological Phenomenon

From: Volker Hetzer (volker.hetzer_at_ieee.org)
Date: 05/31/05 

Date: Tue, 31 May 2005 18:06:52 +0200

"Pubkeybreaker" <Robert_silverman@raytheon.com> schrieb im Newsbeitrag news:1117552533.881480.212250@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
> I am curious about something.
>
> What is it about math and crypto that makes an amateur
> believe that he/she can actually come up with a new theorem
> or algorithm that has somehow been miracuously missed by
> large numbers of previous (or current) mathematicians???
People read numbers on their bank ballance. People watch star
trek. And it is very easy to come up with a 100% secure system.
Design something so complex that you can't find the shortcut then
write up a posting telling the world that you've solved the
crypto/software-verification/perpetuum-mobile problem.

> I am sure that these same people would not post their ideas
> for (say) a new neuro-surgical technique. They do recognize
> that they have no competence.
But a nurse may.

> We also see the same thing in sci.physics-- Amateurs (and cranks)
> who post their own (mostly mistaken) 'ideas'. These people
> do not seem to similarly pollute medical newsgroups.
I like them. I can let off steam at them and practice my english.

> Clearly these people are looking for fame for solving some famous
> problem. But they do not seem to look for fame by (say) semi-serious
> efforts to cure disease.... They know they lack skills for the latter.
Cure disease??? Do you want them to try to get people to swallow
homemade pills?!

Greetings!
Volker