2 ms·

Why is it always a shock? Because he's just a graduate student with too much time?

• kaba0 4y ago
  Because it is was a long-standing conjecture. Also, from the article: Mathematicians noted that the work is particularly striking because it relies entirely on elementary arguments. “It wasn’t like he was waiting for all this crazy machinery to develop,” Thompson said. “He just had some really clever ideas.” I also hate click-bait titles, but I think it is aptly fitting for a change.