In his April 2 posting (Reminder: Mac Lane Memorial Conference) P. May refers to the "crack/pot thread" , and we can see his feeling about it. In particular, he is fed-up. Many people probably share these feelings (more or less), so I will use him as a generic symbol in this posting. The cracks and pots debate is "(interminable)" for him. Probably it is disturbing, and when a disturbing thing refuses to go away, May may get angry. He says he choose Baez as an speaker because he likes his mathematics: What is the point ?. Besides Motl's original reservations about Baez mathematics applied to Physics, nobody said that "do not like Baez mathematics". Simply it was said that it occupied much too room for what it was worth. And I said that this was so because to-day (for a category theory meeting) there is no other enthusiastic body of work to take predominant place. So, what is his point ? I myself, having to-day to organize a meeting in category theory, will certainly invite Baez. Related to, but not the same thing, he goes on saying: "I myself don't share his interest in physics, but I won't hold it against him." What does he mean by "but I won't hold it against him." ?. Had anybody hold the interest in physics against anyone ? In cracks_and_pots nobody is holding or had ever hold against Baez his interest in Physics !! In cracks and pots it was only objected that
The category theory community seems happy to accept uncritically, and give centre-stage to, any interest shown by an external field.
It is known that ~(p ==> q) does not mean p ==> ~q , as he seems to believe (where p = he has interest in physics, q = he is good, and "~" stands for negation). Concerning the meeting proper: "I urge people who have not yet decided to come to make their way to Chicago next week. There we shall all try to make joyful mathematics, some category theory and some not, in celebration of the memory of Saunders Mac Lane." why "try" ? I warn, "joyful" is not enough. But, after this warning, do not take me wrong. The joyful side of mathematics is certainly in the spirit of Saunders, and besides, judging by the list of speakers, it will certainly be worth while to attend. I hope Baez will electronically publish an account of the talks, as he had done in the past with other meetings. Everybody interested in categories profit with Baez online. I toast for a good meeting, the memory of Saunders Mac Lane deserves it. Eduardo Dubuc