On what I do not understand (and have something to say): Part I

This is a non-standard paper, containing some problems in set theory I have in various degrees been interested in. Sometimes with a discussion on what I have to say; sometimes, of what makes them interesting to me, sometimes the problems are presented with a discussion of how I have tried to solve them, and sometimes with failed tries, anecdotes and opinions. So the discussion is quite personal, in other words, egocentric and somewhat accidental. As we discuss many problems, history and side references are erratic, usually kept to a minimum ("see ..." means: see the references there and possibly the paper itself). The base were lectures in Rutgers, Fall '97, and reflect my knowledge then. The other half, [122], concentrating on model theory, will subsequently appear. I thank Andreas Blass and Andrzej Rosłanowski for many helpful comments.