Newsgroups: sci.math
From: shallit@graceland.uwaterloo.ca (Jeffrey Shallit)
Subject: more on the Wiles proof
Organization: University of Waterloo
Date: Fri, 28 Oct 1994 09:53:55 GMT
Lines: 59


From today's New York Times:

FIERCE PRIORITY BATTLE ERUPTS IN FERMAT PROOF
TWO OTHERS CLAIM CREDIT

by Pina Colata

PRINCETON, Oct. 29. ---  When Dr. Andrew Wiles announced two
days ago that he had finally repaired the error in his
proof of Fermat's Last Theorem, little did he know that he would
soon be the center of storm of controversy.

Since then, the firestorm has grown to include the Internet,
the FBI, and the producers of a popular television show.

Shortly after Wiles' new manuscript was submitted to the _Annals of
Mathematics_, Madonna vos Idiot Savant, Parade columnist and author
of a well-regarded book on the subject of Fermat's Last Theorem,
filed a formal protest with _Annals_ editor Robert McElwaine.
"I hereby inform you," the letter read, "that I have pointed out a
flaw in Wiles' proof in my book, and that I demand joint authorship
of the new paper.  Besides, even Martin Gardner said my book was
good."  When reached by phone, Mr. Gardner, 82, declined to comment,
and reports said he had later been rushed to the hospital after
choking on a sandwich.

But this was just the beginning.  Famed Internet demi-god Manfred
Uranium, taste-tester at the Cornell University Restaurant School,
also claimed credit.  "My theory of Uranium Atom Totality showed
conclusively that Wiles' proof cannot be correct," he said.
"Therefore I must be a joint author of the paper."

Both Uranium and Idiot Savant suggested that a nude jello-wrestling
contest might be the proper way to resolve the dispute.  "We could
do a full-page spread in Parade," said Idiot Savant.  Wiles, who is
said to dislike jello, observed that he would prefer tiddly winks.

Since scientific fraud is alleged, and since the manuscript of the
paper had to cross state lines to be submitted, the FBI has been
called in.  FBI Director Louis Freeh said, "This only goes to show
the wisdom of the Clipper Chip.  We must be able to wiretap
transmissions without fear of encryption, to protect our mathematical
heritage and precious bodily fluids."

Meanwhile, Senator John Dingell (D-MI) has called for a special
investigation into the Wiles proof. "This may be a case of
scientific misconduct on the part of Wiles," he said.  "Today I am
introducing a bill to ensure that, in the future, only registered
mathematicians will be able to submit manuscripts."  Dingell plans
a hearing with Tom Lehrer, an authority on mathematical plagiarism.

Finally, the situation took a bizarre turn when the producers of the
"X-Files", a popular television show, revealed that they would soon
broadcast an episode based on the Wiles proof.  NBC star
Jerry Seinfeld will play Wiles, with Julia Louis-Dreyfus playing the
part of Madonna vos Idiot Savant, and Michael Richards (Kramer) in
the role of Manfred Uranium.  Wiles has filed suit to prevent the
"X-Files" from revealing any details of the proof on the show.