January 22, 2004
Quote of the Day
Proof serves many purposes simultaneously. In being exposed to the scrutiny and judgment of a new audience, [a] proof is subject to a constant process of criticism and revalidation. Errors, ambiguities, and misunderstandings are cleared up by constant exposure. Proof is respectability. Proof is the seal of authority.
Proof, in its best instances, increases understanding by revealing the heart of the matter. Proof suggests new mathematics. The novice who studies proofs gets closer to the creation of new mathematics. Proof is mathematical power, the electric voltage of the subject which vitalizes the static assertions of the theorems.
Finally, proof is ritual, and a celebration of the power of pure reason.
Philip J. Davis and Reuben Hersh
The Mathematical Experience
This reminds me very much of the fundimental arguments in favor of "open source" software.
As Linus Torvalds has said, paraphrased, "With enough eyes, all bugs are shallow."
This also works with encryption, where a mathmatical algorythem cannot be trusted until it is published and examined by many different people.
That was one of the problems with the "Clipper" initiative by the Clintons back in 92-94. The system was closed, and had never been examined by eyes outside of the NSA.
To anyone who reads this that doesn't know me as well as Russell does, don't get me wrong, I know very well that the NSA had this "Clipper" thing in development long before Clinton was in office. I'm no Republican appologist.
Curt-
Posted by: Curt Howland on January 22, 2004 09:19 PM