The $\lambda I + K$ problem

A problem that has been open since (at least) 1960 is whether there exists an infinite-dimensional Banach space on which every bounded linear operator is a compact perturbation of a scalar multiple of the identity. The HI spaces constructed by Gowers and Maurey have "few operators" in a slightly weaker sense than this. Combining HI methods with a technique due to Bourgain, Spiros Argyros and the speaker have recently constructed a space which solves the original problem. The seminar talk will attempt to convey some of the underlying ideas.