Real Numbers... not simple at all

a reflection on the reals...:

"The metaphor of the real numbers as a line... is very simple and self-evident. In fact, the identification of the real numbers with the picture of a line is almost too simple because it gives people the impression that the real number system itself is simple and easily understood. Yet real numbers are not simple at all -- in fact, real numbers are one of the most complex creations of the human mind. Even today, all kinds of questions about real numbers are not understood, and remain unresolved."

-- William Byers in "The Blind Spot"