We analyze the effect of replacing several natural uses of definability in set theory by the weaker model-theoretic notion of algebraicity. We find, for example, that the class of hereditarily ordinal algebraic sets is the same as the class of hereditarily ordinal definable sets; that is, $\mathrm{HOA}=\mathrm{HOD}$. Moreover, we show that every algebraic model of $\mathrm{ZF}$ is actually pointwise definable. Finally, we consider the implicitly constructible universe Imp—an algebraic analogue of the constructible universe—which is obtained by iteratively adding not only (...) the sets that are definable over what has been built so far, but also those that are algebraic over the existing structure. While we know that $\mathrm{Imp}$ can differ from $L$, the subtler properties of this new inner model are just now coming to light. Many questions remain open. (shrink)

A highly rigid Souslin tree T is constructed such that forcing with T turns T into a Kurepa tree. Club versions of previously known degrees of rigidity are introduced, as follows: for a rigidity property P, a tree T is said to have property P on clubs if for every club set C (containing 0), the restriction of T to levels in C has property P. The relationships between these rigidity properties for Souslin trees are investigated, and some open questions (...) are stated. (shrink)

We show it is consistent that there is a Souslin tree S such that after forcing with S, S is Kurepa and for all clubs $$C \subset \omega _1$$ C ⊂ ω 1, $$S\upharpoonright C$$ S ↾ C is rigid. This answers the questions in Fuchs (Arch Math Logic 52(1–2):47–66, 2013). Moreover, we show it is consistent with $$\diamondsuit $$ ♢ that for every Souslin tree T there is a dense $$X \subseteq T$$ X ⊆ T which does not contain (...) a copy of T. This is related to a question due to Baumgartner in Baumgartner (Ordered sets (Banff, Alta., 1981), volume 83 of NATO Adv. Study Inst. Ser. C: Math. Phys. Sci., Reidel, Dordrecht-Boston, pp 239–277, 1982). (shrink)