There Was Hope and Challenge
Professor Faltings continued his prediction, stating that the fourth-ranked team was:
[Sofia Morrel, French (female), 37 years old, ENS Paris, Algebraic Geometry, 1 hour (45 minutes), 44.18%]
She is another French mathematician from the ENS Paris, who also specializes in algebraic Algebraic Geometry.
"Algebraic Geometry is the pride of French mathematics, and nowadays, all that's left of France is Algebraic Geometry," Faltings said.
"I agree with that. I think Sofia Morrel has a very good chance of winning the prize. She is the only female mathematician qualified to give a one-hour presentation," Director Feierman said.
To date, only one woman has won the Fields Medal.
Iranian mathematician Mariam Mirzahani won the Fields Medal in 2014, but unfortunately, she passed away from illness three years after receiving the Fields Medal.
The international Mathematics Community needs a healthy and outstanding female mathematician, so Sofia Morrel is a strong contender for the Fields Medal this year, which will be her last time competing for it.
Well, the top four mathematicians have been announced, and my name isn't on the list... Shen Qi wasn't surprised. Senior mathematicians like Faltings, who have Fields Medal, naturally have their own set of theories.
"Everyone will surely say, in my prediction system, how come that German madman is missing from the top four mathematicians? The most brilliant German madman." Professor Faltings changed the chalk and wrote on the blackboard:
[Peter Schultz, German nationality, 32 years old, University of Bonn, Algebraic Geometry, 1 hour (30 minutes), 37.25%]
"The German madman Schultz, considered the favorite by many, is actually ranked fifth in my prediction system."
Faltings explained, "The Frenchman Ayoub, who studies Algebraic Geometry, has almost secured a Fields Medal. The Frenchwoman Morel, who is also skilled in Algebraic Geometry, has her own unique strengths."
"I think it's unlikely that three of the four Fields Medal nominees will be Algebraic Geometry algebraic geometry, even though it's the most popular Algebraic Geometry; two nominees would be the maximum."
"So the German madman Schultz will have to compete with the French lady Morel; only one of them can win the prize," Faltings predicted.
"Peter Schultz is a strong contender; he has won 11 major mathematics awards in recent years and is the youngest professor in German history." In fact, Shen Qi favors the younger Schultz. With the spots already taken by senior figures, what future awaits the young?
Director Charles Feierman raised his voice. "Hey, Qi! We can make you the youngest professor in Princeton's history just as well. As for hype and momentum, we at Princeton don't do it intentionally, but that doesn't mean we're not good at it."
Shen Qi waved his hand and said, "Director Feierman, that's not what I meant."
Feierman: "That's what you mean."
Shen Qi laughed, "Alright, Charles, you're the Boss, you call the shots."
"Qi, don't be afraid of Peter Schultz. The odds of winning with the China Key are second only to the German madman," said Professor Faltings. He is German and strongly supports his fellow German, Blund, objectively evaluating the German madman Schultz and encouraging Shen Qi, the China Key.
At Princeton, professors and students who were close to Shen Qi all called him "Qi".
Pronounce the pronunciation "Qi" in English, and it becomes Key as you repeat it.
Shen Qi earned the nickname "China Key" because of this.
"So, Grader, where do I rank in your prediction system, and what are my chances of winning?" Shen Qi asked curiously.
"Sixth," Grader Faltings said.
[Shen Qi, Chinese national, 22 years old, Princeton University, majoring in number theory (Riemann Hypothesis), Functional Analysis, algebra, etc., 45 minutes, 34.24%]
Faltings: "Qi, your strengths and weaknesses are equally obvious. You have proven the Riemann Hypothesis, you are too young, and this is your first International Congress of Mathematicians."
Shen Qi was a little surprised. "My winning probability is actually as high as 34.24%? Grader, can you reveal the basic calculation formula of your prediction system?"
Faltings laughed and said, "I will announce the calculation formula after the International Congress of Mathematicians."
Finally, Faltings wrote down the name of the seventh mathematician.
[Alessio Faltings, 35 years old, Princeton University, Differential Geometry, Partial Differential Equations, 1 hour (45 minutes), 28.31%]
Faltings told Faltings, "Alessio, if there are two awards for the field of Differential Geometry and Partial Differential Equations, you and Simon- Blund will share the prize. If there's only one award this year, the Fields Medal will definitely be yours next year."
"Grader, your prediction is very objective." Professor Faltings, 35, has another chance to compete for the Fields Medal in four years. He has high expectations for this year's Fields Medal while also respecting objective facts.
"Seven out of four, that's the situation I predicted. Of course, none of the seven mathematicians are absolutely safe; everyone has a chance, and everyone has a certain probability of making a mistake," Faltings concluded.
After some discussion, the Mathematics Department at Princeton University concluded that Shen Qi's chances of winning were higher than Faltings's, because Shen Qi had no competitors in his research field and had achieved the best.
A grand scheme of choosing four out of seven, a two-against-five confrontation.
Two Princeton mathematicians versus five European school mathematicians.
There is also competition within the European school of thought. Simon Blund, Peter Schultz, and Sofia Morrel—two German men and one French woman—all studied Algebraic Geometry, and one of the three Europeans had to be outdone.
If three out of the four Fields Medal winners in a single year are from Algebraic Geometry, should other branches of mathematics continue their research?
The competitive landscape is extremely complex, and it is no longer simply a matter of comparing research results or seniority.
The European school of thought is further divided into the Paris school and the Göttingen School. France and Germany are the two countries with the strongest mathematical prowess in Europe.
Powerful nations, neighbors; throughout European history, France and Germany have spent more time fighting than cooperating.
In Faltings's prediction system, the evaluation indicator of "hype" is placed in a relatively low position. He makes predictions more based on academic qualifications, seniority, and school of thought.
Both Director Feierman and Shen Qi believed that the pre-award publicity for the Fields Medal was very necessary.
In the global information age, the volume of support from media, fans, and industry leaders cannot be ignored.
After the coffee break, Director Feierman spoke privately with Shen Qi: "Qi, leave the publicity to me, you're responsible for the academic work yourself. How's your research on the RT Third Expression progressing? Does it have a basic framework that can be published?"
"The basic framework is in place; the specific details need to be refined," Shen Qi said.
"Qi, your winning formula is the RT Third Expression. Fortunately, we still have more than three months."
After discussing it, the two decided to first release the basic framework of the RT Third Expression to the public. To generate buzz, they needed to have solid academic content.
There are many ways to generate buzz, but the most common and effective way to create academic stars is through: award ceremonies, academic conferences, interviews and promotion by mainstream media, and enthusiastic support and endorsement from peers.
Prior to the International Congress of Mathematicians, Shen Qi is expected to receive the Ramanujan Prize; he has already been nominated.
"One Ramanujan Prize isn't enough; let's get another Steele Prize." Director Feierman has the resources; the American Mathematical Society has already contacted him, asking the Princeton Mathematics Department to recommend a candidate for the Steele Prize.
The Steele Prize, awarded by the American Mathematical Society, is a prestigious Math Prize, systematically rated as Grade A.
With the situation having progressed to this stage, Shen Qi must strive for this year's Fields Medal; this is not just his own affair.
The Chinese and American people alike place high hopes on Shen Qi.
Trade sparks disputes, mathematics brings peace.
Both China and the United States need a mathematical star with a unique identity: he is Chinese, yet he also represents the influence of the American Mathematics Community.
Shen Qi quickly convened a meeting with his team members; time was tight and the task was heavy.
Regarding the RT Third Expression, a small result is needed within one month, and a medium result is needed within two months.
Three months later, it will be necessary to shock the world once again.