[bubblyworld]

Why is this on the front page of hacker news? Hopefully that comes across as a genuine question and not snark. I mean as an ex-mathematician I'm thrilled, but schemes are an incredibly abstract object used in an incredibly abstract branch of mathematics (algebraic geometry).

[nhatcher]

I have the same question in my mind. Also thrilled though. I think there is a genuine fascination in HN and in general with Grothendieck [1], [2].

[1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Grothendieck [2]: https://hn.algolia.com/?q=Grothendieck

[bubblyworld]

Interesting, yeah. I guess he was the mathematical equivalent of the "rogue" archetype. Brilliant, did things in his own way, total lack of respect for authority, shrouded in mystery. I can definitely see the appeal =)

[coderatlarge]

in many educational systems, aptitude in math (the more abstract, the better) is conflated with intelligence. so maybe many of us have internalized we should valorize it?

[ssivark]

Sometimes, the best way to learn about abstruse topics one has a passing curiosity in is to upvote what pops up on HN and hope that some nerd might drop by and comment with a simplified intuitive picture for plebs :-)

[gsf_emergency_4]

(Edited to be more helpful)

These days, some nerds prefer to ask AI to confirm their "precious" intuitions of why schemes might be needed in the first place. To fix the problems with certain basic geometric notions of old timers? They are then so spooked that the AI instantly validates those intuitions without any relevant citations whatsoever that they decide not to comment

But still leave warnings to gung-ho nerds in the form of low-code exercises