Lu Zhou didn't know that his old friend's behavior would bring him a lot of trouble.
However, even if Lu Zhou knew, he probably wouldn't blame Lu Zhou.
After all, this was just like what Lu Zhou was doing.
Even if Lu Zhou didn't push this technology forward, someone would definitely bring this technology to the world in ten or twenty years. Especially in the context of the space race, frozen dormancy technology was written in the corner of the aerospace development program outline of the two superpowers. This day would only happen in the next ten or twenty years.
Similarly, even without Professor Krugman's thesis, there would definitely be someone else to play this role and fulfill his historical mission.
Lu Zhou knew what was going to happen. After the report at the Medical University ended, he got on the high-speed train back to his hometown.
The moment he got on the high-speed train, 301 Hospital and the Jinling Institute for Advanced Study finally released the news about a certain Fields Prize winner undergoing frozen dormancy treatment.
It was almost predictable.
After the sensation caused by the Riemann conjecture, the headlines of the mainstream international media were once again occupied by Professor Lu …
…
Princeton.
Institute for Advanced Study coffee shop.
Professor Fefferman was sitting by the window. He was facing his old friend, Professor Angus Deaton, and he suddenly sighed.
"I didn't expect him to do this."
Frozen dormancy.
The entire Princeton community was talking about this matter.
Even though they knew that this was probably the best choice, not everyone could accept this choice. Especially the students of Vera Pulyuy. Whether it was the lovely and respectable teacher being diagnosed with terminal lung cancer, or the fact that her respected supervisor actually "froze" her and sent her to the future, it caused considerable controversy.
However, Lu Zhou himself seemed to be very calm. It was like he had disappeared from the Internet. Whether it was arXiv or MathOverflow, he hadn't updated anything. Fefferman also went to Weibo, a popular social network in China. He remembered that he liked to interact with netizens on Weibo, and he found that it was the same.
"Actually … I expected it."
Professor Angus Deaton stirred the coffee in his cup with a spoon and looked at the swirling milk bubbles. He went silent for a second and spoke.
"I've advised him to be cautious about cryo-hibernation. However, after thinking about it, I realized that there was no need to say those words. They wouldn't work. Moreover, even if I persuaded him to give our civilization more time, the day would come eventually. The pursuit of survival is eternal. From the moment our ancestors grasped the tools, we were destined to have everything we have now. It is also destined that every choice we make is to let us live a little longer. "
Fefferman was a little interested in this statement. He looked at Lu Zhou and said, "Economics studies this?"
Angus: "This isn't economics. This is the theory of evolution. It's biology … or rather, human nature."
Footsteps could be heard coming from the corridor outside the cafe.
Soon after, an old man in a plain shirt walked in.
"Sorry, I'm a little late … Fefferman? You're here too? "
Krugman looked at Fefferman, who was sitting across from Professor Angus. He was a little surprised; he obviously didn't expect Fefferman to be here.
"When I'm not busy, I'm here almost every afternoon … But today is an exception." Professor Fefferman shrugged and smiled gently. He said, "Professor Angus invited me here."
Krugman said, "Okay then … It seems that Professor Angus invited more than one person."
Professor Angus: "It doesn't matter how many people he invited, I'm more interested in your research … I noticed that you recently submitted a paper? It's about the impact of cryo-dormancy technology on macroeconomics. "
When Krugman heard his old friend talk about his recent research, he suddenly had a look of interest on his face. He pulled out a chair and sat down next to the two people.
"Of course, I wrote that paper. I didn't expect you to read it … A cup of mocha, thank you."
The waiter nodded, turned around, and walked in the direction of the bar.
Krugman cleared his throat and spoke.
"You might not be able to imagine the social changes that this technology might bring. In fact, I only thought of it before I got on the plane. It might sound a bit weird, but it doesn't matter, I can tell you. "
After that, Krugman spent about ten minutes repeating his research results. In particular, he spent a lot of time on the speculation that "because of the birth of this technology, human society might break the long-standing equality that had been achieved since the French Revolution. Eventually, just like what had happened countless times in the past, new inequality would become new equality".
Professor Angus patiently listened to his old friend's passionate speech. When the coffee he ordered was served, Professor Angus finally stopped talking due to the thirst in his mouth. He then smiled and spoke.
"I have an unpublished manuscript here … Are you interested?"
Professor Krugman was still holding the coffee cup in his hand. He paused for a second and said, "Is this okay?"
Generally speaking, scholars in the same field would try to avoid doing this. However, Angus didn't seem to care.
He spoke gently, "It's fine, we've known each other for so many years, we trust each other. Also, it's not just you, Professor Fefferman also read it. "
Fefferman was sitting next to Angus, and he smiled and said, "It's a very interesting article, but I'm afraid it will take me a while to fully understand it."
"… Since you say so, please let me have a look."
"No problem, it's here."
Krugman took the manuscript from Professor Angus and looked at the unique handwriting. He paused for a second, then his face was filled with shock and disbelief.
Future sociology!
Krugman spent ten minutes flipping through the manuscript. He then gave it back to Angus and spoke with a complicated expression on his face.
"… You've already finished it? When … did you write it? Don't tell me it's been a few days. "
Professor Angus put away the manuscript and said, "As early as half a year ago, I published my first thesis, which is the part you saw at the beginning. It's about the potential of future sociology. I've published a few more, and this manuscript is a simple collation of the content. I think the content is enough to support a book. "
Professor Angus paused for a second and spoke.
"A long time ago … A few years ago, this was actually not something that needed to be discussed. No matter how willful we were, we didn't have the means to directly interfere with the future society. Not many people would deliberately plan for a future that no longer exists. Whether we admit it or not, most of the choices we make are based on the current situation. "
"But now, this tacit understanding has been broken. When some people start to think about how to pave the way for the future, things often become troublesome. Perhaps in a few years, it won't be just soybeans that will be traded in futures, even future currencies will have the attributes of futures trading. "
"Our work might not be important, but the theoretical work has to be done. At the very least, when a problem occurs, we can provide some objective reference for those cautious decision-makers. "
Krugman opened his mouth and spoke with a regretful expression.
"… I didn't expect someone else to beat me to it."
Professor Angus smiled and said, "I'm surprised you didn't realize it until now. I thought a person like you would know more about these things than me. After all, if I were you, I definitely wouldn't be able to write a thesis like 'Interstellar Trade Theory' with a straight face … It's like a Hollywood thesis."
Professor Krugman said, "If you actually read my thesis, you wouldn't say that."
Professor Angus: "Of course I read your thesis. Not only that, but I've been following your research results for a while. After all, few economists are interested in the distant future, just as we often say that the future is unpredictable. "
Krugman: "… What? I can't believe that Professor Angus is interested in my research. "
"It's not that I can't believe it. The research project you're working on is actually the same as what I want to do. Just like your interest in my manuscript, we have a common interest. "
"… Sociology of the future?"
"Yes." Professor Angus nodded and said, "Prediction is also a part of analysis, just like our eyes and brain. Only by understanding us can we judge whether it's correct or not. What do you think? Do you want to join in? "
Professor Krugman was surprised by this offer. He blinked subconsciously.
Needless to say, this was a very tempting proposal.
In fact, he was tempted.
"… I can't give you an answer right now, I need to consult my partner. Of course, I think the possibility of him refusing is very small. When it comes to key research projects, our judgments are always surprisingly consistent. "
"It's fine, this isn't a project that can be completed in a day or two. I can wait quietly … as long as it's not too long."
Professor Angus paused for a second and looked at Fefferman. He then said, "Then, here's the opinion of Professor Fefferman, who has read my manuscript.
Fefferman, who had been watching with interest, did not expect the ball to be kicked to his feet. He was stunned for a moment before he laughed and said, "Me? What does this have to do with me? "
"Of course." Professor Angus nodded and said, "All the conditions are in place, but … we still lack an excellent mathematician."
Professor Fefferman opened his mouth and went silent for a while. He then said, "I think … I have to think about it and give you an answer. Actually, Professor Faltings invited me to participate in a great research project, but I'm not sure if I have the time. "
Krugman said excitedly, "Is there anything greater than the future?"
"That's hard to say. Compared to knowing what will happen in the future, I think it's better to live in the present. "Fefferman glanced at the watch on his left hand and reached for the coffee cup. He drank the rest of the coffee in one gulp, then put down the cup and said," I have a conference in a while, so I won't stay here any longer. "
In fact, even though he was very interested in the things they were talking about, he didn't want to participate. But if he had to participate, he was still a little … unwilling.
Just like most mathematicians in Princeton.
When it came to mathematics, even a humble person like him couldn't help but feel "arrogant". This kind of arrogance came from the knowledge they were proud of, and the stubbornness from the last century — mathematics should serve mathematics.
Seeing that Professor Fefferman was planning to leave, Professor Angus had a disappointed look on his face.
He thought that Lu Zhou's words were enough to convince Lu Zhou, but he failed.
However, Professor Krugman suddenly said, "Professor Lu said that after he solves the Riemann conjecture, he will consider participating in our research."
This sentence seemed to have an effect.
Professor Fefferman's finger paused in front of his coffee cup.
He was about to stand up, but he sat back down and looked at Professor Krugman.
"Lu Zhou? That's what he said? "
"I can swear to God," said Krugman as he raised three fingers and said, "If I lie, I'll let Satan take my soul."
Fefferman: "… When?"
Krugman answered truthfully, "The day before the ICM conference. We met at Perelman's house, and I invited him …"
However, at the time, both Krugman and Albert interpreted Lu Zhou's words as a euphemistic rejection.
After all, "I'll think about it after solving Riemann's hypothesis …" Anyone who heard this would have the same thought.
However …
Who would have thought that Lu Zhou would solve the conjecture in just a few days?!
If it weren't for Vera, he wouldn't be sitting here talking to Professor Angus. Maybe they would have already reached an agreement in St. Petersburg and started to work on this project.
Professor Fefferman went silent for a long time. He suddenly looked up at Professor Angus.
"… I changed my mind."
While the two professors were looking at him, he smiled and continued to speak.
"I'm very interested in what you guys are talking about.
"If it's not too much trouble, please let me join."
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