Alternative Test for Primes.

[wblipp]

I think it's time to call for the judging and wrap the thread up.

I'd score mfgoode a 3. He gave a solid reasoned argument that would have scored a 7 in 1670, but ignores the history since then.

I'd score philmoore a 9. He gives a sound argument from Fermat's own works.

I'd score ewmayer a 7.5. He loses points for arguing that Fermat would have published, when Fermat never published anything, and for holding up the compositeness of F5 as typical although other commentators seem to agree with Harold M. Edwards, who says "This incident seems to be the one serious smirch on Fermat's reputation a number theorist."

I'd score Silverman a 1. He used two posts to argue from authority, and the authority is himself. The entire content of both posts can be summarized as "mathematicians say it isn't so, and you aren't a mathematician and I am"

Other scores?

[R.D. Silverman]

Originally Posted by wblipp

I think it's time to call for the judging and wrap the thread up.

I'd score mfgoode a 3. He gave a solid reasoned argument that would have scored a 7 in 1670, but ignores the history since then.

I'd score philmoore a 9. He gives a sound argument from Fermat's own works.

I'd score ewmayer a 7.5. He loses points for arguing that Fermat would have published, when Fermat never published anything, and for holding up the compositeness of F5 as typical although other commentators seem to agree with Harold M. Edwards, who says "This incident seems to be the one serious smirch on Fermat's reputation a number theorist."

I'd score Silverman a 1. He used two posts to argue from authority, and the authority is himself. The entire content of both posts can be summarized as "mathematicians say it isn't so, and you aren't a mathematician and I am"

Other scores?

Wblipp: -10

He needs to read:

J. Kruger & D. Dunning
Unskilled and Unaware of It: How difficulties in recognizing
One's Own Incompetence Lead to Inflated Self Assessments.
J. Personality & Social Psychology

I am sure that if someone were to hand wblipp a short story written
by someone in 1st year elementary school, he would have no trouble
recognizing it for what it is and would quickly reach the conclusion
that the person who wrote it was unqualified to make any judgments
on the subject of writing.

I see the same thing in most of the posters here with regard to
mathematics. They are not only totally unskilled, they are not even
aware of what it is that they don't know.

Experience matters. Wblipp's words "you are aren't a mathematician" etc.
shows that he does not believe this.

The opinion of incompetent amateurs with regards to a technical subject
has little value.

[ewmayer]

Originally Posted by wblipp

I'd score ewmayer a 7.5.

{Best whiny-student voice:}But professor, I worked really *hard* on that paper...waaaahhh...

He loses points for arguing that Fermat would have published, when Fermat never published anything

I contend he would have announced it in some form, even if that were by way of a letter to an eminent colleague rather than publication in a mathematical journal, as is the norm today.

I think it's time to call for the judging and wrap the thread up.

"And the judges at ringside score this bout a majority decision to the *new* FLT Intercontinental bantamweight champion of the *world*, Eugene, Oregon's own Phil "Big Daddy" Moooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooore..."

[wblipp]

This last message by Silverman I would score a 7, although on an entirely different basis. I have mentioned that the secret to appreciating Bob is to see him as a talented but grossly underappreciated comedian. Look at all the humor he has packed into a single message!

First, in response to the comment that he posted too much, he has quoted THE ENTIRE MESSAGE! What a great way to repeat the thread's comedic structure through form. But the genius doesn't stop at form alone. In response to a statement that he relies on arguing from authority, he quotes an authority! So the self-referential form is mirrored in the self-referential content!

Recognizing that this may be too subtle for some of the readers here, he doesn't stop there. Even those that miss the repetitive self referentiality will catch the humor of pretending to misunderstand the critique, pretending to think I claimed he was wrong instead of claiming that he was obvious and made no contribution to the discussion. It's almost a Bowery Boys kind of humor. Or perhaps an attempt at Gracie Allen's style, but carried off with a gruffer demeanor.

For ewmayer, I'll grant the whining student another quarter point for his clever redefinition of publication.

[mfgoode]

[QUOTE=wblipp]This last message by Silverman I would score a 7, although on an entirely different basis. I have mentioned that the secret to appreciating Bob is to see him as a talented but grossly underappreciated comedian. Look at all the humor he has packed into a single message![/unquote]

Before this thread is wrapped up and I dont have the chance to give a fuller comment I want to congratulate wblipp.
Hats off to you wblipp for having the guts of bearding the lion of m/forum in his den. The grading at both ends of the scale are very appropriate.

At last Goliath ( he was 10 feet tall in physique and self estimation) has met his David with a single sling shot. Keep at it and the hot air ballon will develop a leak.

However I'm against degrading posters with sincere questions and comments as a general rule. But this is an exception and I must add my seal.

'Signior Silverman, Many a time and oft in the Rialto
You have rated me
About my monies and my usances,
Still I have borne it with a patient shrug,
For sufferance is the badge of all my tribe' (Math'cians)

You cant kick a dog too often . One day he will surely turn arouind and bite !
Mally