Apparently, two Millenium problems from the Clay Mathematics Institute are close to being solved (think of it as the Nobel Math prize). Solving any of those problems brings with it worldwide math fame, and 1 million US$.
Tentative proofs for both the Riemann Hypothesis and the Pointcare conjecture have been brought forth. The problem is, these are so advanced that nobody can really understand them to disprove them :)
http://www.whatpc.co.uk/news/1157891
UPDATE: The millennium problems have a new webpage: http://www.claymath.org/millennium-problems
I just sent those links to some Concordian math friends of mine. Sure to cause some excitement. You are SUCH a shit-disturber!
:P
~MJ
(http://livejournal.com/users/emjayne)
The Pointcarre one seems more serious, math-wise. The Riemann, though more interesting for myself, seems a bit too end-of-the-worldish, reporting-wise.
And pray tell me why I'm a shit disturber?
(http://livejournal.com/users/talisker)
Imagine the feverish plotting that will take place among the labcoat brigade over at Con U when apocalyptic terms like 'e-commerce disaster' and 'encryption keys' start circulating.
Wa-hoo!
(http://livejournal.com/users/emjayne)
well, I told you the second one was a overly dramatic :)
(http://livejournal.com/users/talisker)