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I learned about this from Paysages Mathématique s, which in turn cites as source Theorem of the Day (March 15, 2025) by Robin Whitty. One can read online Lin McMullin’s description of how he found the theorem , a lovely mix of serendipity and computer aided calculation.  The statement if as follows: consider y=f(x) in the plane, the graph of a quartic (degree 4) polynomial with two flexes p and q. Let L be the line through p and q, and let u and v be the other two intersections of L with the graph. Then the coordinates of u and v can be obtained from those of p and q via the formulas  u= φp+(1-φ)q  and   v=(1-φ)p+ φq. McMullin found this by having a computer algebra system do the calculations for him. Of course the most amazing thing here is that he thought about this problem and imagined the result could be interesting! And it’s great he didn’t have to compute it all by hand (he may have been able to do so without error, I certainly wou...

This was born as a blue sky thread, instigated by someone asserting the opposite of the title. Let me start by introducing context. I am a senior mathematician, which means I’ve spent 40 years living of and in a group which supposedly has geniuses. Indeed some ideas are truly beautiful, and surprising; and some people have more of those, and of wider impact, than the average practitioner.  I  don’t like the word genius, but let’s use it for simplicity to describe such people. They do not stomp on anyone else: in fact, their typical attitude is to found a school, and (with a few asshole exceptions!) seniors recognise their gift, honour it, and support them as far as possible. Such recognition and support are much more likely if the “genius” is a non-disabled, straight-passing white man. Exceptions exist, of course: maths and physics buildings in Cambridge UK are much more accessible than in Oxford UK because Hawking. In general, again, new ideas are celebrated by weaving them i...