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Like physicists, mathematicians have always been divided into theorists and experimentalists. And, as with the physicists, the two groups of mathematicians have not gotten along very well. Still, in physics, there has always been an understanding that both groups are necessary, whereas during the past century or so, it has been possible to pretend that theorists are the only “real” mathematicians. I think this is a shame, and I hope both groups will try harder to get along.

Brian K. Schmidt
Carlisle, Mass.

I strongly agree that new computer-based mathematical tools are having a revolutionary impact. The article brought to mind the sensation caused in 1989 when the program Mathematica was first demonstrated on the University of Rochester campus to a standing room–only crowd of graduate students and professors.

Alan Oberst
Rochester, N.Y.