If the fall of Communism had been delayed a little longer, we would have been left without mathematical operations because Nicolae Ceausescu was preparing to outlaw them. Yes, yes, because they became useless: collection was carried out by the conscript, subtraction at the limit, division by ration, multiplication by decree, extracting the root in the field and raising it to power in piles.

As I write this, I wonder how many young people who were born after 1989, but who think things were better before, know what the draft is. Or rations. Or what the decree is about. Invited (kiss the hand!) to talk about science in as unconventional a way as possible, I could only start with someone who until recently was a Megastar of Romania, known and recognized all over the planet, with fans all over the world. Not even until December 1989, when they had no chance to see him.

How it happened, for example, at the World Congress of Cybernetics and Systems in Rome, I don’t remember the year, because I lost the notes, in any case, the chairman was Umberto Eco, who, opening the proceedings, introduced the presidents of the sections, and in mathematical linguistics it was supposed to be, as usual, Solomon Marcus, “who, unfortunately, cannot be present for medical reasons: he is ill on his passport.”

He, of course, burst out laughing. But it was no laughing matter. It is true, however, that the professor took off his coat after 1989. I didn’t follow him very closely, but I don’t think he got to Greenland or the Falklands/Malvinas, it was a campaign of “Don’t cry for me, Argentine!” But no matter how much he traveled around the world, he was obsessed with Finland and the education system there – even more so he haunted Romania through schools and high schools with an absolutely amazing message: don’t take our word for it. we teachers! Look what we’re saying!” Oho!

He also had his share of checks, but of a very different kind. First, he was denied the right to receive a doctorate due to reasons related to his parents’ record, and when he was finally accepted, his supervisor, Academician Miron Nicolescu, had to agree with the undersigned that the authors mentioned in the paper, Alde Cauchy, Reimann and Gauss, “they did not have a hostile attitude towards communism.” That there were times when it was better than now.

Legend has it that a former student of Solomon Marcus once challenged him: “You admire so many things that I dare to ask you: do you believe in God?” To which the teacher, who was approaching 90 years old, replied: “We haven’t reached our destination yet. Now I am working on the question: What is God?

Among many other things, I learned how to make tea from a Romanian Megastar. Do you know how an ordinary person makes tea? Normally, we are ordinary people and in our lifetime we would make tea: he takes out a teapot from the cupboard, pours water, puts it on fire. Take a cup from the cupboard, maybe a saucer, take sugar and a teaspoon from the cupboard, pour as much sugar as you want, take a sieve from the cupboard, put it on a mug, take tea from the cupboard, put some in the sieve, when the water boils, pour the tea, give him cool, set the sieve aside, add sugar, cut a slice of lemon, put in a cup, drink.

But how does a mathematician make tea? He takes out a kettle from the cupboard, pours water, puts it on the fire. Take a cup from the cupboard, maybe a saucer, take sugar and a teaspoon from the cupboard, pour as much sugar as you want, take a sieve from the cupboard, put it on a mug, take tea from the cupboard, put some in the sieve, when the water boils, pour the tea, give him cool, set aside the sieve, add sugar, cut a slice of lemon, put in a cup, drink.

Paying a little attention and if you haven’t already gone to the article about flights in Schengen, you will have noticed that it is exactly the same. Yes, but how can an ordinary person make a second cup of tea if he wants to? Discard the lemon slice and what’s left of the tea, rinse the mug and strainer, refill the kettle and put it on the fire, add sugar, add another lemon slice, add another tea, pour hot water, let cool, set the sieve aside, stir sugar, drink.

And how does a mathematician make second tea? He empties the kettle, wipes it and puts it in the cupboard. He rinses the mug, wipes it and puts it in the cupboard. Close the jar or pack of sugar and put it in the cupboard. He rinses the spoon, wipes it and puts it in the cupboard. Put the lemon where he took it. Wash the sieve, wipe it, put it in the closet – and thus reduce everything to a known problem!

It seems like just a hint, but the matter is serious. Ok, I hear you: after the departure of Professor Solomon Marcus, who is the current Megastar of Romania, known and recognized all over the planet, with fans all over the world?

Yes Yes Yes…