A problem on spreading models (Q1269616)

Let \((e_i)\) be a normalized basic sequence. A basic sequence \((s_i)\) is a spreading model of \((e_i)\) if for some sequence \(\varepsilon_n\downarrow 0\) and all \((a_i)^n_1\subseteq [-1,1]^n\) we have \(\left|\Biggl\| \sum^n_1 a_ie_{k_i}\Biggr\|- \Biggl\| \sum^n_1 a_is_i\Biggr\|\right|< \varepsilon_n\) whenever \(n\leq k_1<\cdots< k_n\). In this paper, it is proved that if a Banach space \(X\) has a basis \((e_n)\) satisfying every spreading model of a normalized block basis of \((e_n)\) is 1-equivalent to the unit vector basis of \(\ell_1\) (respectively \(c_0\)) then \(X\) contains \(\ell_1\) (respectively \(c_0\)). Furthermore, Tsirelson's space \(T\) (\(T\) is the completion of the linear space of finitely supported real-valued sequences under the implicit norm \(\| x\|= \| x\|_\infty\vee \sup\left\{{1\over 2} \sum^n_{i= 1}\| E_ix\|: n\in\mathbb{N},\;n\leq E_1<\cdots< E_n\right\})\) is shown to have the property that every infinite-dimensional subspace contains a sequence having spreading model 1-equivalent to the unit vector basis of \(\ell_1\). An equivalent norm is constructed on \(T\) so that \(\| s_1+ s_2\|< 2\) whenever \((s_n)\) is a spreading model of a normalized basic sequence in \(T\). Main results are: Theorem A. Let \((e_i)\) be a basis for a Banach space \(X\). (a) If \(\| s_1+ s_2\|= 2\) whenever \((s_n)\) is any spreading model of a normalized block basis of \((e_i)\), then \(X\) contains a subspace isomorphic to \(\ell_1\). (b) If \(\| s_1+ s_2\|= 1\) whenever \((s_n)\) is any spreading model of a normalized block basis of \((e_i)\), then \(X\) contains a subspace isomorphic to \(c_0\). Theorem B. Let \(X\) be an infinite-dimensional subspace of Tsirelson's space \(T\). Then there exists \((x_i)\subseteq X\) with spreading model 1-equivalent to the unit vector basis of \(\ell_1\). Whether Theorem A can be extended to \(\ell_p\) \((1<p<\infty)\) is stated as a problem.