“Ummm,” Alicia said, trying to be polite. “Still sounds like we’re just making this up as we go along.” “We… — Gregory Benford

Indeed, high-blown rhetoric plus uncheckable consequences were the two sure signatures of the crank.

But these were mere passing irritants. Deeper were the systemic troubles. She stressed the many unknowns; the media wanted sharp answers to huge questions, preferably in a compact one-liner. She tried to emphasize the progressive questioning of her method and how all answers were provisional, awaiting confirmation; reporters liked zippy adventure and exciting guesses with, of course, striking visuals in primary colors.

To peer through the quick stubble of mathematics and see the wonders lurking behind was to momentarily live in the infinite, beyond the press of the ordinary world where everyone else dwelled in ignorance.