Discrete Subsets in Topological Groups and Countable Extremally Disconnected Groups

Abstract

It is proved that any countable topological group in which the filter of neighborhoods of the identity element is not rapid contains a discrete set with precisely one nonisolated point. This gives a negative answer to Protasov's question on the existence in ZFC of a countable nondiscrete group in which all discrete subsets are closed. It is also proved that the existence of a countable nondiscrete extremally disconnected group implies the existence of a rapid ultrafilter and, hence, a countable nondiscrete extremally disconnected group cannot be constructed in ZFC.