Amast'91 Banquet Talk the Amast Phenomenon

Tuesday, May 7, 1991. I sign the last grade sheet and smile at the spring sun. Finally the semester is over. A message from Teo Rus arrives. \The second conference on Algebraic Methodology and Software Technology needs a banquet speaker", writes Teo. I am very attered. And scared. I recall a recent banquet talk in Ann Arbor. The man went on and on. I left before he nished. On the other hand, the invitation is a challenge and an opportunity. You know, sometimes we feel like philosophers if only anybody would listen. I accept the invitation before the scare gets a hold of me. I leave my o ce and meet Kevin Compton, another member of the small computer theory group in our huge Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. \How are you?" asks Kevin. \Well, I was ne only a few minutes ago", and I tell him about the invitation to give a banquet talk. \I do not envy you", says Kevin. Soon a message from him tells me about 5 books on public speaking in the library. I thumb the books. They have witty things on almost any subject, but do not mention algebra or software, let alone algebraic methodology and software technology. The volumes of humor are depressing. This is not it. Teo could nd a professional joker to entertain the conference. At that time in Iowa it could be a national politician. After thinking it over, I decide to take a scienti c approach and write a scholarly paper. You know, another paper never hurts your vita. The scienti c approach explains the use of \we" in the sequel.