▲Mathematicians just solved a 125-year-old problem, uniting 3 theories in physics(scientificamerican.com)
87 points by mikhael 10 hours ago | 4 comments
▲jug 3 hours ago
There’s a Reddit thread that provides useful context to this, what it is and the scope: https://www.reddit.com/r/math/s/OD0Jy9Rdns
▲dako2117 8 hours ago
archive link https://web.archive.org/web/20250426022659/https://www.scien...
▲JohnKemeny 5 hours ago
And arXiv link: https://arxiv.org/abs/2503.01800
▲paulpauper 7 hours ago
It's interesting how so many important papers are always on arxiv first. it makes me wonder what purpose peer reviews serves. I think also, this is to help establish priority over the result. So getting it up on arxiv is like a timestamp to avoid someone else deriving it at the same time and getting credit by having it published first.
▲pepinator 6 hours ago
Peer review is important for checking the correctness of the results, among other things. It's not uncommon to find big errors; small mistakes are everywhere.
▲drumnerd 1 hour ago
Peer review is of utmost importance. Any researcher can make mistakes. I can read papers and apply them, but I need expert opinion to trust the papers. I am not skilled enough in any but my specialties.

I do see papers with outlandish claims and very weak support. This kind of excessively bold statement I see in many papers is a red flag for me.

▲trod1234 6 hours ago
Its easier to tear down than build up. Resilient structures are tested structures and last the longest.
▲lokimedes 5 hours ago
The purpose of the (pre-print) arChive is to allow for a wider circulation during review. That many today simply leave their stuff on Arxiv without publishing is arguably a bit of “cargoculting”, as it signals legitimacy without any quality control.
▲SpaceManNabs 6 hours ago
The article does a wonderful job in providing context for the proof.

I really enjoyed the clear descriptions of the three scales.