The Whitehead theorem states that a map of connected CW complexes that induces an isomorphism in homotopy groups is a homotopy equivalence. In particular, isomorphisms in the homotopy category of pointed CW complexes can be detected by homming out of spheres S^n. But the equality of two morphisms cannot. The fact that this “relative Whitehead theorem” fails was the subject of a MO question. Today, I want to discuss another example along these lines. (I will assume a little more familiarity with algebraic topology than I have in previous posts.)

Recall that a common technique to show that a map is not nullhomotopic is to show that it does not induce the trivial morphism on some functor in algebraic topology. For instance, the fact that {\pi_1(S^1) \neq 0} is used to show that {S^1} is not contractible; this is probably the most basic example. But the basic invariants of algebraic topology can be insufficient. Here is an example which Eric Larson showed me yesterday.
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