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Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!cbosgd!ihnp4!oddjob!apak
From: apak@oddjob.UUCP (Adrian Kent)
Newsgroups: net.math
Subject: great uniqueness theorems
Message-ID: <1126@oddjob.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 22-Jan-86 01:10:07 EST
Article-I.D.: oddjob.1126
Posted: Wed Jan 22 01:10:07 1986
Date-Received: Thu, 23-Jan-86 20:08:06 EST
Reply-To: apak@oddjob.UUCP (Adrian Kent)
Distribution: net
Organization: U. Chicago, Astronomy & Astrophysics
Lines: 15

I'm trying to think of great, surprising uniqueness theorems in mathematics;
results of the form "The only quasi-sober, Reaganomic hemi-demi-semi-group is
the group of 3 by 3 matrices with entries algebraic functions of pi." 
The motivation for this is that, if a currently popular theory of nature
(superstring theory) is to work, it will require such a theorem. (Actually,
the theory already contains a couple of surprising uniqueness results, but
what it still needs - the selection of an ugly-looking 6-manifold on grounds
of uniqueness - seems much harder.) My current feeling is that the required
result would be much more surprising than almost any previous uniqueness 
result anywhere in mathematics. So I'd be very interested in people's best   
candidates. I'll post a summary to the net, if there's interest.
                                   regards,
                                           ak

"Salome, dear, NOT in the fridge."