Symmetry, Algebra and the Monster

[wickawic]

Since I first heard of the monster group I have found the idea very Lovecraftian: a higher dimensional object that is so incredibly symmetric as to be incomprehensible.

[jessaustin]

Is there a sequel to TFA? It has nothing about the promised "Monster".

[grabcocque]

It feels like the preamble to a longer article that never materialises.

[nature24]

There was more info on the monster group and monstrous moonshine in this linked article: https://www.quantamagazine.org/mathematicians-chase-moonshin...

[da_cet]

I've come to expect better than clickbait from Quanta. The article's not interesting at all, just a very basic exposé about groups of symmetries.

[empath75]

That's a pretty great explanation and I would read a book from him on symmetries if he wanted to keep going.

[soVeryTired]

"Fearless symmetry" by Ash and Gross is one of the most readable books on symmetry and group theory I've come across. They break with the pop science tradition of not using equations, and actually get into the nitty-gritty of the maths, while managing not to read like a maths textbook.

[popcorncolonel]

I started reading a book with an eerily similar title to this article[1] and it's quite a good read so far, similarly discussing symmetry, as well as the history behind the development of this theory.

[1] https://www.amazon.com/Symmetry-Monster-Greatest-Quests-Math...