I like this, not because it has any sort of formal relevance, but because it reminds me that for the last 40 years or so, (actually longer), we have been able t

I like this, not because it has any sort of formal relevance, but because it reminds me that for the last 40 years or so, (actually longer), we have been able to solve O(2^n) problems in O(n) time where time < 40 years. Nice! Probably Bill was despairing of your future, and simultaneously admiring your devious cleverness, not dreaming of publishing. But I could be wrong! If we wait 40 years, we may have the answer to my hypothesis as well.