The turmoil of the XXth century witnessed remarkable scientific achievements, but also experienced the detrimental effects of military proliferation. It was a time of increased awareness, along with unspoken violence, social growth, and loss of meaning. The life of Alexander Grothendieck mirrors in an unparalleled way the complexity of a century full of contradictions and hope. He lived, for instance, the concentration camps, the unprecedented growth of scientific influence, the ecological urgency, and spiritual necessity.
The CSG strives to facilitate access to Grothendieck’s cultural heritage and exemplary testimony to enrich social debates and personal development. In the following personal profile, we highlight key dates that have marked A. Grothendieck’s life. These milestones provide an overall insight into the tumultuous years during which Grothendieck’s life unfolded.
“Survivre… et Vivre” (initially called just “Survivre“) is the name of a group, originally pacifist and later also ecological, which was founded by Grothendieck in July 1970 (on the sidelines of a “Summer School” at the University of Montreal) within a community of scientists (primarily mathematicians). It quickly evolved towards a “cultural revolution” direction while expanding its audience beyond scientific circles. Its main vehicle of action was a bulletin (more or less periodic) of the same name.
“Survivre” No. 1, August 1970. 41 pp
(Director of publication : C. Chevalley)
“Survivre“ No’s 2 et 3, Septembre/Octobre 1970. 39 pp.
(Director of publication : C. Chevalley)
“Survivre” No 4, November 1970. 24 pp
(Director of publication : C. Chevalley)
“Survivre” No 5, December 1970. 24 pp
(Director of publication : C. Chevalley)
“Survivre” No 6, January 1971. 26 pp
(Director of publication : C. Chevalley)
“Survivre” No 7, February/March 1971. 30 pp
(Directeur de publication : C. Chevalley)
“Survivre” No 8, June/July 1971. 32 pp
(Directeur de publication : C. Chevalley)
“Survivre et… vivre” No 9, August/September 1971. 38 pp
(Directeur de publication : C. Chevalley)
“Survivre et… vivre” No. 9 – Supplément – Août-Septembre 1971
“Survivre et… vivre” No 10, October/December 1971. 40 pp
(Directeur de publication : C. Chevalley)
“Survivre et… vivre” No 11, Spring 1972. 40 pp
(Directeur de publication : A. Grothendieck)
“Survivre et… vivre” No 12, June 1972.
“Survivre et… vivre” No 13. Did not appear.
“Survivre et… vivre” No. Spécial Méditerranée – Juin 1972
“Survivre et… vivre” No 14, October/November 1972
(Directeur de publication : A. Grothendieck)
“Survivre et… vivre” N° Spécial Pollution radioactive- 1972 ?
“Survivre et… vivre” No 15, January/February 1973
( Directeur de la publication : Pierre Samuel )
“Survivre et… vivre” No 16, 1973
(Direction de la publication : Denis Guedj)
“Survivre et… vivre” No 17, Winter 1973. 48 pp
(Directeur de la publication : Didier Savard)
“Survivre et… vivre” No 18, 1974
(Directeur de la publication : D. Guedj)
“Survivre et… vivre” No 19, Spring 1975. 34 pp
(directeur de la publication : D. Guedj)
Bulletin de liaisons Nos. 1-5
Bulletin de liaisons Nos. 7-10
Bulletin de liaisons No. 11-12
Bulletin de liaisons No. 13-14
A non-exhaustive list of people appearing in the bulletin is: A. Aigrain, D. Alloin, M. Andureau, P. Arreteau, M. Atteia, S. Aboulker, J.-P. Aboulker, C. Auber, M. Auffret, S. Aumenier, J. Bardez, P. Barreau, J.-M. Batreau, J. Baudry, R. Belbeoch, P. Beunza, J. Bille, B. Blanc, P. Bonnet, R. Bosse-Platiere, J.-P. Boudon, J. Bourdais, D. Bourget, M. Boyer, P. J. Cahen, D. Caniou, J.-M. Carite, F. Carrasquer, B. Charbonneau, C. Chevalley, D. Cerezueelle, S. Charbonneau, A. Charlet, J. Cochin, J. Coulardeau, C. Clark, R. Clarke, R. Cote, D. Danielle, J.-C. De Moog, J.-C. Demaure, J.-P. Dolle, J. P. Dubreuil, R. Cruse, G. Daechsel, P. Davant, M. Davaud, C. Davis, B. De Chenevillier, Debanne, J. Delord, J. Delorme, P. Denizot, L. Dewez, G. Edwards, F. Ellenberger, M. Escuder, M. Faligand, D. Fargeas, P. Fournier, M. Gieure, Gougaud, G. Edwards, G. Gregoire, A. Grothendieck, D. Guedj, V. Guilloux, M. Hakim, L. Hébrard, H. Hervé, E. Iyanaga, A. Jaubert, R. Jaulin, Keroudou, P. Koosis, G. Krassovsky, B. Lallement, Y. Lanoë, A. Larouzee, C. Larrère, J. P. Laurent, D. Lautié, J.-C. Layraud, L. Lecompte, A. Le Gall, Y. Le Henaff, A. Leroi-Gourhan, J.-C. Leyraud, P. Lieutaghi, E. Lopez-Campillo, J. Maille, F. Mainguy, J.-P. Malrieu, J. Manuceau, R. Maret, R. Marin, F. Massart, M. Mendes-France, D. Merien, W. Messing, D. Meuret, J.-C. Moog, Nataf, J.-P. Negre, H. P. Noyes, R. Parisot, D. Parker, A. Perret, J. Pignero, R. Plessis, P. Poot, J. Poyeton, J.-F. Pressicaud, J. C. Roche, M. Rodes, C. Rolland, R. Roux, W. Sachs, B. Saderne, T. Sallantin, L. Samuel, P. Samuel, J.-P. Sareyan, D. Savard, J. Seiler, R. Serriere, M. Setier, D. Sibony, J.-M. Sicard, J.-P. Sorg, M. Soyka, J. Sterheimer, A. Stutzt, M. Tabare, M. Titcomb, J. Todd, Y. Tourne, C. Tresson, J.-G. Ulrich, L. Verdier, Y. Vromman, E. Wagneur, P. Wucher.
A central theme in Grothendieck’s late meditations was the spiritual downfall of humanity, the ensuing apocalypse, and the imminent ‘New Age,’ which was envisioned as an era of freedom, self-determination, and life in harmony with one’s own ‘soul.’ He developed these ideas in the work entitled ‘La Clef des Songes.’ A significant part of this work is named ‘Notes pour le chapitre VII de la Clef des Songes, ou Les Mutants.’ These notes, comprising eighty-eight sections (515 pages), were written between September 18, 1987, and April 2, 1988. They contain reflections on a number of individuals, referred to as mutants, who appear as ‘new humans,’ embodying in the present the ‘human of tomorrow’ and announcing and anticipating the aforementioned new age. Below is a list, compiled by Grothendieck himself, of these mutants.
*Grothendieck also considered adding other figures to the list, such as Bakunin, E. Reclus, L. Michel, H. D. Thoreau, W. Blake, L. Tolstoy, J. W. von Goethe, A. Besant, and M. Alfassa. However, this list was not meant to reflect an objective value but rather a relative affinity with his vision.
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