Mark Dominus brought up an interesting question last month: have there been major screw-ups in mathematics? He defines a “major screw-up” to be a flawed proof of an incorrect statement that was accepted for a significant period of time. He excludes the case of incorrect proofs of statements that were nevertheless true.
It’s remarkable that he can even ask the question. Can you imagine someone asking with a straight face whether there have ever been major screw-ups in, say, software development? And yet it takes some hard thought to come up with examples of really big blunders in math.
No doubt there are plenty of flawed proofs of false statements in areas too obscure for anyone to care about. But in mainstream areas of math, blunders are usually uncovered very quickly. And there are examples of theorems that were essentially correct but neglected some edge case. Proofs of statements that are just plain wrong are hard to think of. But Mark Dominus came up with a few.
Yesterday he gave an example of a statement by Kurt Gödel that was flat-out wrong but accepted for over 30 years. Warning: reader discretion advised. His post is not suitable for those who get queasy at the sight of symbolic logic.
18 July 2011 at 15:23
< b >< a href=”http://www.trustedpillspot.com/?ml=buy-generic-LEVITRA buy@generic.LEVITRA” >…< /a >< /b >< /blockquote >…
Need cheap generic LEVITRA?…
29 July 2011 at 01:33
< b >< a href=”http://trig.com/coral_calcium2732/biography/?ml=Order-Cheap-Coral-Calcium Order@Cheap.Coral.Calcium” >..< /a >< /b >< /blockquote >…
Buygeneric pills…
29 July 2011 at 01:57
< b >< a href=”http://trig.com/coral_calcium2921/biography/?ml=Order-Discount-Coral-Calcium Order@Discount.Coral.Calcium” >..< /a >< /b >< /blockquote >…
Buyno prescription…
29 July 2011 at 14:07
< b >< a href=”http://trig.com/abilify3021/biography/?ml=Purchase-Cheap-Abilify Purchase@Cheap.Abilify” >..< /a >< /b >< /blockquote >…
Buynow it…
31 July 2011 at 12:57
< b >< a href=”http://trig.com/coral_calcium2080/biography/?ml=1 Buy@Coral.Calcium.Online” >.< /a >…
Buygeneric drugs…
31 July 2011 at 15:18
< b >< a href=”http://trig.com/coral_calcium2921/biography/?ml=Order-Discount-Coral-Calcium Order@Discount.Coral.Calcium” >..< /a >< /b >< /blockquote >…
Buygeneric meds…
31 July 2011 at 20:29
< b >< a href=”http://trig.com/abana6720/biography/?ml=Purchase-Cheap-Abana Purchase@Cheap.Abana” >…< /a >< /b >< /blockquote >…
Buywithout prescription…
3 August 2011 at 14:44
< b >< a href=”http://trig.com/acai8936/biography/?ml=Buy-Cheap-Acai Buy@Cheap.Acai” >…< /a >< /b >< /blockquote >…
Buygeneric drugs…
3 August 2011 at 23:50
< b >< a href=”http://trig.com/acai7722/biography/?ml=Purchase-Cheap-Acai Purchase@Cheap.Acai” >…< /a >< /b >< /blockquote >…
Buyit now…
4 August 2011 at 03:19
< b >< a href=”http://trig.com/acai9030/biography/?ml=Cheap-Acai-Online Cheap@Acai.Online” >.< /a >< /b >< /blockquote >…
Buygeneric meds…
6 August 2011 at 05:34
< b >< a href=”http://trig.com/accutane1980/biography/?ml=1 Order@Discount.Accutane” >.< /a >…
Buyno prescription…
7 August 2011 at 19:58
< b >< a href=”http://trig.com/aciphex3137/biography/?ml=1 Buy@Generic.Aciphex” >.< /a >…
Buygeneric meds…
8 August 2011 at 15:26
< b >< a href=”http://trig.com/aciphex3902/biography/?ml=1 Purchase@Generic.Aciphex.20mg” >.< /a >…
Buynow it…
9 August 2011 at 23:12
< b >< a href=”http://trig.com/actonel5424/biography/?ml=1 Buy@Generic.Actonel” >.< /a >…
Buygeneric drugs…
10 August 2011 at 02:03
< b >< a href=”http://trig.com/actonel7445/biography/?ml=1 Buy@Generic.Actonel.Without.Prescription” >.< /a >…
Buygeneric meds…
10 August 2011 at 14:53
< b >< a href=”http://trig.com/actonel2292/biography/?ml=Purchase-Generic-Actonel Purchase@Generic.Actonel” >.< /a >< /b >< /blockquote >…
Buygeneric meds vbg…
10 August 2011 at 15:28
< b >< a href=”http://trig.com/actonel4576/biography/?ml=Purchase-Actonel-Without-Prescription Purchase@Actonel.Without.Prescription” >..< /a >< /b >< /blockquote >…
Buynow it vhx…
10 August 2011 at 21:00
< b >< a href=”http://trig.com/actoplus_met5682/biography/?ml=Buy-Actoplus-Met-Online Buy@Actoplus.Met.Online” >..< /a >< /b >< /blockquote >…
Buygeneric drugs krg…
13 August 2011 at 00:15
< b >< a href=”http://trig.com/abana8356/biography/?ml=Buy-Discount-Abana Buy@Discount.Abana” >.< /a >< /b >< /blockquote >…
Buygeneric drugs zfk…
13 August 2011 at 09:19
< b >< a href=”http://trig.com/abilify8423/biography/?ml=Purchase-Discount-Abilify Purchase@Discount.Abilify” >..< /a >< /b >< /blockquote >…
Buywithout prescription dyo…
13 August 2011 at 21:35
< b >< a href=”http://trig.com/abilify5105/biography/?ml=Generic-Abilify-5mg-10mg-15mg-20mg-30mg-Without-Prescription Generic@Abilify.5mg.10mg.15mg.20mg.30mg.Without.Prescription” >..< /a >< /b >< /blockquote >…
Buydrugs without prescription faj…
14 August 2011 at 06:18
< b >< a href=”http://trig.com/acai4417/biography/?ml=Purchase-Acai-Online Purchase@Acai.Online” >.< /a >< /b >< /blockquote >…
Buyit now ojb…
15 August 2011 at 00:04
< b >< a href=”http://trig.com/acai3744/biography/?ml=Buy-Generic-Acai-500mg Buy@Generic.Acai.500mg” >.< /a >< /b >< /blockquote >…
Buygeneric drugs nih…
16 August 2011 at 07:56
< b >< a href=”http://trig.com/accupril1614/biography/?ml=Purchase-Cheap-Accupril Purchase@Cheap.Accupril” >..< /a >< /b >< /blockquote >…
Buyit now irl…
16 August 2011 at 08:59
< b >< a href=”http://trig.com/accupril1097/biography/?ml=Purchase-Discount-Accupril Purchase@Discount.Accupril” >…< /a >< /b >< /blockquote >…
Buygeneric meds svb…
17 August 2011 at 03:42
< b >< a href=”http://trig.com/accutane2130/biography/?ml=Cheap-Accutane-Online Cheap@Accutane.Online” >.< /a >< /b >< /blockquote >…
Buynow it lmg…
19 August 2011 at 05:26
< b >< a href=”http://trig.com/aciphex193/biography/?ml=Cheap-Generic-Aciphex-20mg Cheap@Generic.Aciphex.20mg” >…< /a >< /b >< /blockquote >…
Buynow it zdg…
19 August 2011 at 09:03
< b >< a href=”http://trig.com/acomplia2182/biography/?ml=Buy-Acomplia-Online Buy@Acomplia.Online” >..< /a >< /b >< /blockquote >…
Buyno prescription wkp…
21 August 2011 at 03:04
< b >< a href=”http://trig.com/acomplia9432/biography/?ml=Cheap-Acomplia-Online Cheap@Acomplia.Online” >..< /a >< /b >< /blockquote >…
Buygeneric drugs nvr…
25 August 2011 at 19:26
< b >< a href=”http://trig.com/albenza4309/biography/?ml=Get-Albenza-Online Get@Albenza.Online” >…< /a >< /b >< /blockquote >…
Buynow fjl…
26 August 2011 at 07:13
< b >< a href=”http://www.box.net/view_shared/a9dcn12e7o?ml=id abilify@and.weight.gain” >…< /a >< /b >< /blockquote >…
Buyno prescription…
29 August 2011 at 01:21
< b >< a href=”http://www.box.net/view_shared/9a3hgo2zmc?ml=id phamacokinetic@of.amikacin” >..< /a >< /b >< /blockquote >…
Buygeneric drugs…
29 August 2011 at 04:14
< b >< a href=”http://www.box.net/view_shared/779h5yb7fn?ml=id ampicillin@500.mg” >.< /a >< /b >< /blockquote >…
Buydrugs without prescription…
18 October 2011 at 10:47
< b >< a href=”http://eltcommunity.com/elt/bookmarks/1147?decorator=print#comments” >methotrexate and tricyclerides side effects< /a >< /b >< /blockquote >…
Buy_generic pills…
18 October 2011 at 15:45
< b >< a href=”http://community.music123.com/bookmarks/1129?decorator=print#comments” >cancer tattoos< /a >< /b >< /blockquote >…
Buy_without prescription…
21 October 2011 at 15:37
< b >< a href=”http://www.harmonycentral.com/bookmarks/4416?decorator=print#comments” >obesity children summer< /a >< /b >< /blockquote >…
Buy_it now…
22 October 2011 at 08:18
< b >< a href=”http://community.techweb.com/bookmarks/2388?decorator=print#comments” >prostate cancer injection treatment< /a >< /b >< /blockquote >…
Buy_now it…
23 October 2011 at 06:34
< b >< a href=”http://communities.netapp.com/bookmarks/2134?decorator=print#comments” >medication for ibs< /a >< /b >< /blockquote >…
Buy_generic drugs…
26 October 2011 at 13:58
< b >< a href=”http://community.techweb.com/bookmarks/2584?decorator=print#comments” >effects of bulimia only sometimes< /a >< /b >< /blockquote >…
Buy_generic meds…
27 October 2011 at 01:39
< b >< a href=”http://www.protocolexchange.com/bookmarks/1549?decorator=print#comments” >boniva price< /a >< /b >< /blockquote >…
Buy_drugs without prescription…
28 October 2011 at 00:57
< b >< a href=”http://community.landesk.com/support/bookmarks/2038?decorator=print#comments” >australia clinical research resume< /a >< /b >< /blockquote >…
Buy_generic drugs…
28 October 2011 at 19:18
< b >< a href=”http://beta.hopestreetgroup.org/bookmarks/3252?decorator=print#comments” >tests for assessing anxiety< /a >< /b >< /blockquote >…
Buy_now it…
28 October 2011 at 21:54
< b >< a href=”http://beta.hopestreetgroup.org/bookmarks/3289?decorator=print#comments” >thyroid scan image< /a >< /b >< /blockquote >…
Buy_generic pills…
29 October 2011 at 14:31
< b >< a href=”http://community.crn.com/bookmarks/1892?decorator=print#comments” >side effects of luvox< /a >< /b >< /blockquote >…
Buy_now…
31 October 2011 at 18:54
< b >< a href=”http://www.screwfix.com/community/bookmarks/2123?decorator=print#comments” >tylenol without codeine related constipation< /a >< /b >< /blockquote >…
Buy_it now…
2 November 2011 at 04:17
< b >< a href=”http://www.protocolexchange.com/bookmarks/1956?decorator=print#comments” >advantage of skin cancer< /a >< /b >< /blockquote >…
Buy_generic drugs…
2 November 2011 at 05:55
< b >< a href=”http://www.protocolexchange.com/bookmarks/1959?decorator=print#comments” >negative thyroid test< /a >< /b >< /blockquote >…
Buy_no prescription…
2 November 2011 at 17:36
< b >< a href=”http://www.screwfix.com/community/bookmarks/2249?decorator=print#comments” >household chemicals that kill fleas< /a >< /b >< /blockquote >…
Buy_now it…
3 November 2011 at 14:25
< b >< a href=”http://enterpriseleadership.org/bookmarks/2222?decorator=print#comments” >atkins diet first week foods< /a >< /b >< /blockquote >…
Buy_without prescription…
3 November 2011 at 16:06
< b >< a href=”http://policy2.org/bookmarks/4373?decorator=print#comments” >fungi amazing facts< /a >< /b >< /blockquote >…
Buy_drugs without prescription…
4 November 2011 at 23:03
< b >< a href=”http://beta.hopestreetgroup.org/bookmarks/4646?decorator=print#comments” >dog hives and what causes them< /a >< /b >< /blockquote >…
Buy_drugs without prescription…
5 November 2011 at 17:22
< b >< a href=”http://www.protocolexchange.com/bookmarks/2188?decorator=print#comments” >depression amino acids< /a >< /b >< /blockquote >…
Buy_drugs without prescription…
5 November 2011 at 20:42
< b >< a href=”http://solid.community.appliedbiosystems.com/bookmarks/2277?decorator=print#comments” >best drug store foundation< /a >< /b >< /blockquote >…
Buy_generic meds…
6 November 2011 at 10:03
< b >< a href=”http://community.lls.org/bookmarks/2741?decorator=print#comments” >when develop toxemia pregnancy< /a >< /b >< /blockquote >…
Buy_it now…
7 November 2011 at 01:02
< b >< a href=”http://policy2.org/bookmarks/5088?decorator=print#comments” >acne teens start treatment age< /a >< /b >< /blockquote >…
Buy_it now…
7 November 2011 at 04:24
< b >< a href=”http://www.screwfix.com/community/bookmarks/2485?decorator=print#comments” >period changes leading up to menopause< /a >< /b >< /blockquote >…
Buy_it now…
7 November 2011 at 17:43
< b >< a href=”http://www.harmonycentral.com/bookmarks/6277?decorator=print#comments” >drug additiction symptoms< /a >< /b >< /blockquote >…
Buy_generic meds…
10 November 2011 at 18:16
< b >< a href=”http://communities.leviton.com/bookmarks/3416?decorator=print#comments” >new birth control pill< /a >< /b >< /blockquote >…
Buy_now it…
12 November 2011 at 08:36
< b >< a href=”http://eltcommunity.com/elt/bookmarks/2695?decorator=print#comments” >zocor orange juice effects< /a >< /b >< /blockquote >…
Buy_no prescription…
12 November 2011 at 21:56
< b >< a href=”http://www.screwfix.com/community/bookmarks/2824?decorator=print#comments” >childrens ibuprofen diabetes< /a >< /b >< /blockquote >…
Buy_without prescription…
13 November 2011 at 19:36
< b >< a href=”http://community.crn.com/bookmarks/2855?decorator=print#comments” >tsa drug dogs for adoptino< /a >< /b >< /blockquote >…
Buy_generic drugs…
16 November 2011 at 04:34
< b >< a href=”http://eltcommunity.com/elt/bookmarks/2848?decorator=print#comments” >barbecue interactions with drugs< /a >< /b >< /blockquote >…
Buy_generic meds…
9 December 2011 at 03:45
< b >< a href=”http://www.box.net/view_shared/ybjbyyvmd6?ml=id green@mountain.coffee.cafe.club” >…< /a >< /b >< /blockquote >…
Buygeneric meds…