The famous* group of elite French mathematicians gets a mention on Metafilter; there must be some really cool nerds on that site for that to happen. I think it's a measure of just how important Bourbaki was to 20th century mathematics that every single one of the individuals mentioned as participants can be considered a star in his own right - Andre Weil, Samuel Eilenberg, Jean-Pierre Serre, Alexander Grothendieck ...
One piece of knowledge I do find saddening though - Serge Lang, writer of many excellent (albeit rather dry) textbooks, has become an HIV-AIDS denier in his old age.
*If you're a mathematician, that is.
Serge Lang is a crank, and has been one for many years. His betes noire--to combatting which he has devoted extraordinary effort--include social sciences and scientists, David Baltimore, and the AIDS "establishment." He should stick to algebra.
Posted by: Jonathan Kulick | September 28, 2004 at 05:59 PM
Yes, you're right. How thoroughly depressing.
Posted by: Abiola Lapite | September 28, 2004 at 08:09 PM