Letters from the Front John Pezaris, Pasadena, California, 17 January 1998. BILL KNOWS NUMBERS I once heard an interview with Elton John where he was bearing his soul, as is the fashion among the famous these days. He confessed how egotistical and self-centered he had been in the past, and how his epiphany regarding this came while standing on a hotel room balcony. He realized, after having said something like, "it's a little windy tonight, can't someone do something about that?" that perhaps he might want to do just a little introspection. I'm glad that he realized how far from the norm he had strayed; however, I cite his example because it gives one pause to wonder what circumstances give a person an ego so large that they challenge natural forces. On the other hand, as provoked by the recently posted (1/98) rec.humor.funny message, one must wonder indeed what it takes to give a person an ego so large that they challenge mathematical truths: "The obvious mathematical breakthrough would be development of an easy way to factor large prime numbers." (Bill Gates, The Road Ahead, Viking Penguin (1995), p. 265.) Uhhh, yeah. Right, Bill, anything you say. - pz. Next Letter, Previous Letter, Start Again Copyright (C) 1998, J. S. Pezaris, All Rights Reserved.