Bruce Pulitzer can no longer relax.
He sat upright at his desk, looking at the transcript of the conversation with Wang Hao on the computer, one after another, one word after another. Looking carefully, he wanted to know if Wang Hao was joking, but he found that it didn't look like it.
joke.
"Is it true? No, ask again!"
Bruce Pulitzer quickly typed a few lines and sent it, "Dr. Wang Hao, is it true? Have you completed the proof of the hail conjecture?"
"Are you still there? Please, don't make such a joke, okay?"
"Is it true or false..."
He sent several messages in succession, but unfortunately there was no reply.
At this time, Bruce Pulitzer was 90% sure that Wang Hao was not joking, and he began to think carefully.
He was joking just now.
When Wang Hao asked whether the proof of the hail conjecture could be published next month, he directly said that it could be printed and the website would publish it simultaneously, but in fact it was not possible.
Whether it is published on the website or temporarily printed, it is not a big problem. The problem lies in the review.
"New Advances in Mathematics" is one of the four top journals in international mathematics. They must ensure the accuracy of published papers to the greatest extent.
Even if you publish a small paper with little impact, the accuracy of the paper is far more important than the impact of the content.
If an incorrect proof of Kakutani's conjecture is published, it can be said to be a major blow to the weight and influence of the journal.
Even though the contributor is Wang Hao, who has published top-level mathematical results internationally, there are many better mathematicians. Bruce Pulitzer knows several Fields and Wolf winners.
Wang Hao is still worse in comparison.
In addition, the hail conjecture is a conjecture known to elementary school students. It is very well-known and has great influence. As long as the proof is published, the influence will spread beyond the mathematics community, and many media will report it.
"New Advances in Mathematics" has published a paper, which means it has approved the proof. If the subsequent report proves to be wrong, regardless of the impact on "New Advances in Mathematics", Bruce Pulitzer feels that he can write a resignation report.
It is not easy to find another job in the same industry with a lower salary. He will be directly rejected by the editorial boards of other mathematics magazines.
So review is definitely crucial.
What should we do now?
"I have just agreed, and Wang Hao must take it seriously. If the submission is postponed until next month, Wang Hao is likely to withdraw the manuscript, and may even stop cooperating with "New Advances in Mathematics" in the future."
“A paper of this level must not be missed!”
“Absolutely not to be missed!”
Bruce Pulitzer was well aware of the importance of major mathematical results.
"New Advances in Mathematics" is one of the four top journals in international mathematics. However, even the top journals are still mathematics journals and must face competition from the same industry. They must attract more and better paper submissions in order to maintain their reputation in the industry.
Competitive advantage is the only way to stabilize the scholars who subscribe to the magazine.
Once the proof of the Hail Conjecture is released, it will definitely be known all over the world. Some of the top mathematical institutions will visit "New Advances in Mathematics". The magazine's subscription volume will definitely increase, and its influence will also be greatly improved...
So the problem is back, what to do now?
Bruce Pulitzer gritted his teeth and started calling and sending emails constantly. He contacted almost all the top mathematicians he knew, including several Fields and Wolf winners, including the Clay Mathematics Institute and Princeton University.
Mathematics professors at the graduate school.
"If you have time, can you help me with the review and proof of the hail conjecture, just part of it... I'm not sure yet..."
"It's urgent. You may receive the manuscript in two days. Thank you in advance!"
"Contributors must keep it confidential, but there will definitely be..."
Every mathematician contacted was very interested because the content of the review was a proof of the hail conjecture.
Even if the proof is wrong, it is interesting to find the error.
"New Advances in Mathematics" is still very authoritative, and the people in the editorial department are also very high-level. No mistakes can be seen in the first trial, so it must be of a certain level, and many people are looking forward to it.
Among them is Qiu Chengwen from the Mathematical Sciences Center of Shuimu University.
Qiu Chengwen also knew Bruce Pulitzer, and papers from the Center for Mathematical Sciences were also prioritized for publication in New Advances in Mathematics.
When he heard Bruce Pulitzer say that he hoped he could help review the content of the manuscript, which was proof of Hail's conjecture, Qiu Chengwen immediately became interested. Even though he was over 70 years old and most of his energy was focused on education,
I still have a strong interest in mathematics, especially the latest mathematical research.
Qiu Chengwen, like many mathematicians, asked, "Can you tell me the author of the paper?"
"Sorry, contributors are confidential."
Bruce Pulitzer gave a standard answer.
…
It's time for the next day.
Wang Hao went to the office very early, sorted out the calculations of the proof process from beginning to end, and then breathed a sigh of relief.
He checked the time, continued to sort it out, and wrote a little introduction in front.
Then I submitted it.
If it were someone else, they would have carefully revised the format and added a lot of introduction before submitting.
Wang Hao doesn't have to do this at all. This is the privilege of a top mathematician. After completing a major achievement, there is no need to correct the format. The journal editorial department will be responsible for similar work. They will send special personnel to correct every corner of the work.
Do.
Of course, ordinary papers do not enjoy this kind of treatment.
Wang Hao's submission was very plain. He just submitted the manuscript directly on the website as usual.
Then he was about to send a message to Bruce Pulitzer, only to find that the other party sent a lot of messages. He read them carefully and decided to ignore them.
"I have already submitted the article." He sent a message and added, "If it cannot be published early next month, be sure to tell me in advance."
All done!
Wang Hao felt calm.
He glanced at the time and realized that it was already half past nine. He quickly opened the textbook of "Algebraic Geometry" and took a look. Because he had been busy with the proof of Kakutani's conjecture, he had not prepared for the course.
Fortunately, the first lesson is all about the basics, and half of it is even an introduction to the subject of 'algebraic geometry'.
"It shouldn't matter if you follow this kind of content in class, right? But you can also use it freely. It just introduces the development history of the characters. The purpose is that students like this course..."...
Wang Hao thought.
Zhang Zhiqiang finished the class and returned to the office. When he saw Wang Hao, he immediately came over and asked in a low voice like a thief, "How was it? Have you finished writing the proof?"
"Already submitted."
"So fast?" Zhang Zhiqiang was surprised, and he was even a little excited, "Where did you vote?"
"New Advances in Mathematics."
Zhang Zhiqiang nodded obediently, and then continued to ask, "Then it won't be published until next month, right? This is quite fast, normally it will take three months."
"That won't happen." Wang Hao shook his head and said, "Looking at the time, it should be published next week. Their editor-in-chief told me so."
"Chief editor of "New Advances in Mathematics"?"
"right."
Zhang Zhiqiang didn't know what to say for a moment. He has been disgusted with privileged treatment since he was a child.
Now the privilege appears in front of me. I am also submitting a manuscript to an academic journal, and other people have to wait in line slowly for review and approval. However, after submitting the manuscript, the guy in front of me actually said that it will be published in a week.
Are you still being unreasonable?
Why can he jump in and publish?
What? His thesis is to solve the Kakutani conjecture? Forget it, it’s fine!
Thinking that if you can complete such a major research, you will definitely be able to join the queue of the four top mathematics journals, right?
What a wonderful privilege!
Zhang Zhiqiang looked forward to it for a while, and then asked, "Are you sure you can publish it? What if you can't?"
Wang Haodao, "Then I will withdraw the submission and publish it on the Internet. This is what Perelman (the prover of the Poincaré conjecture) did. I think this idea is very good and can be used by more people at the first time."
To be continued...