Some time ago while re-reading an old John Barrow volume, “Pi In the Sky” I ran across this delightful bit of parody at the end of a section essentially on the foundational math conflict between formalism and intuitionism:
The Lord is my thesis adviser; I shall not err.
He arranges for me to be published in the
respectable journals; he teaches me how
to use the reductio argument.
He enshores my validity; he leads me by
the classical logic, for the truth's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of
the existence proofs, I will fear no contradiction;
for he edits my work.
The Axiom of Choice and Zorn's Lemma, they comfort me.
He invites a colloquium on classical analysis,
for my participation, in the absence of the constructivists;
He frequently and approvingly abstracts me
in Mathematical Reviews;
my reputation flourishes internationally.
Surely, honors and grants shall follow me
all the days of my career,
and I shall rise in the ranks of the
Department,
to Emeritus.
Amen.
[the verse was not attributed to anyone, so I’m not clear if Barrow penned it himself — a quick internet search didn’t help, but if someone knows the author is other than Barrow please let us know]
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