The functions σ, mapping a
Hilbert space operator T into its spectrum σ(T), or σe (defined by σe(T) = essential
spectrum of T), or ρsh−F(T) mapping T into the set of complex numbers λ such
that λ − T is semi-Fredholm of index h, etc, have a very erratic behavior. They are
continuous on a dense set of operators and discontinuous on another dense set of
operators. It is not completely apparent, however, that all of them are simultaneously
continuous on a certain dense subset and simultaneously discontinuous on another
dense subset.