In simple terms, this statement suggests that it took some time before the speaker, Stephen Cole Kleene, had the opportunity to collaborate with Church. This indicates a period during which he was likely involved in other activities or studies prior to engaging directly with Church.
The quote carries deeper implications about patience and perseverance in academic and professional settings. It highlights the often overlooked value of waiting for the right moment to engage with influential figures or ideas, rather than rushing into collaboration prematurely. The statement also underscores the importance of building a solid foundation of knowledge and experience before interacting meaningfully with key individuals in one's field. This can lead to more productive and impactful interactions when they finally occur.
Stephen Cole Kleene was an American mathematician known for his significant contributions to mathematical logic and the foundations of computer science. His work on recursion theory, which is closely tied to Church's lambda calculus, laid important groundwork for the development of modern computing. Kleene’s insights have had a lasting impact on how we understand computational processes and algorithmic thinking today.
