Thus Roberto Pietroforte, repeatedly, during his visit to Reading. He stopped over on his way from Rome to Boston, where he lives with his family. We are friends and colleagues since my MIT days. By “Ptolemaic” he means “egocentric,” “narcissistic,” or perhaps even “egomaniacal.” Of course, he means it in the best possible sense. That is, he knows I will take it as a compliment.

Addendum (March 30, 2003)

I printed this piece, pasted it onto a postcard, and sent it to Roberto. Today I found his electronic-mail message thanking me for the missive. However, he is not happy with my interpretation of his characterization: “You are not egocentric or narcissistic, but simply Ranko.” He pleaded that he was quite different from me. “Thank you for your generosity,” I wrote back, “but I think my piece stands as it is.” Roberto may have a point, though.