Posted on 03/23/2010 12:35:33 PM PDT by Free ThinkerNY
A Russian awarded $1million (£666,000) for solving one of the most intractable problems in mathematics said yesterday that he does not want the money.
Said to be the world's cleverest man, Dr Grigory Perelman, 44, lives as a recluse in a bare cockroach-infested flat in St Petersburg. He said through the closed door: 'I have all I want.'
The prize was given by the U.S. Clay Mathematics Institute for solving the Poincare Conjecture, which baffled mathematicians for a century. Dr Perelman posted his solution on the internet.
Four years ago, the maths genius failed to turn up to receive his prestigious Fields Medal from the International Mathematical Union for solving the problem.
At the time he stated: 'I'm not interested in money or fame. I don't want to be on display like an animal in a zoo.
'I'm not a hero of mathematics. I'm not even that successful, that is why I don't want to have everybody looking at me.'
Neighbour Vera Petrovna said: 'I was once in his flat and I was astounded. He only has a table, a stool and a bed with a dirty mattress which was left by previous owners - alcoholics who sold the flat to him.
'We are trying to get rid of cockroaches in our block, but they hide in his flat.'
It was in 2002 that Perelman, then a researcher at the Steklov Institute of Mathematics in St. Petersburg, began posting papers online suggesting he had solved the Poincare Conjecture, one of seven major mathematical puzzles for which the Clay Institute is offering $1 million each.
Rigorous tests proved he was correct.
The topological conundrum essentially states that any three-dimensional space without holes in it is equivalent to a stretched sphere.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
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OK, so long as you agree with me that:
IF a guy can’t throw out a first pitch without lookin like a girlie-mon,
And IF he can’t run a country anywhere but into the ground,
THEN he can still be a Commie Doofus.
OK?
<<
Absofrickinlutely!
“I wonder if any sufficiently advanced genius isnt likely indistinguishable from madness.”
Maxwell, Einstein and Feynman were all pretty normal. I think there is no real correlation between genius and madness.
Clever than you think. Can you imagine collecting the money would attract the interest of a Communist Government wanting the bulk. Now that we have Obamacare the top tax bracket is 44%.
"Who is rich? He who rejoices in his lot." --Pirqey 'Avot
Nice to know that all those rich people in the big, clean, cockroach-free houses are all dumb as a bag of bricks.
Well, at least he has a computer. You suppose he has a manga collection too?
Wait a minute!!! DR. Perelman???
'I'm not a hero of mathematics. I'm not even that successful, that is why I don't want to have everybody looking at me.'
Hey! You know what??? I feel the same way! I guess I'm a genius too!
The topological conundrum essentially states that any three-dimensional space without holes in it is equivalent to a stretched sphere.
Um . . . er . . . I could have told you that! Er . . . I suppose . . .
Well, unless he reproduced by budding, there goes one stereotype!
LOL! Funniest post yet!
Paul Erdos, a math prodigy since childhood, one of the most prodigious mathematicians of the twentieth century, had trouble getting himself dressed properly and tying his own shoes. He traveled the world cheaply and basically lived liked a pauper even though he had a professorship. He gave away his most of salary to charity and poor math students. Most of his support came from friends, family and colleagues.
And he slept very little saying sleep took away time from doing math.
I see you've been reading Socrates again...
Well I've got him beat! I can't do math or those things!
Just waiting to find what it is I'm a genius at!
Sounds like a typical FReeper.......LOL!
Russians are very special people. I have had the privilege of living with them and spending time. They are one of the few who understand.
Poor guy. He looks miserable.
Nope, these eyes are blue,this is a Barney Boy.
Different people are smart in different ways. A guy that cannot grasp the concept of language but can run circles around anyone else on a sports court is smart in his brains connection to his muscles.
“Meanwhile a math genius poindexter may be unable to dribble a basketball more than once or catch a fly ball without it bouncing off his forehead first.
Both are smart in one way and dumb as a box of rocks in another. Looks like this guy is, as are we all, smart and dumb at the same time.
For most of us, though, the smarts are more evenly spread out among the various skill sets.”
Besides the humor here cuz I need a laugh, you guys are...like an ab-workout! Mixed in with the above?
Can’t find the words to describe the gift it is to be here!
I grow wiser amongst you.
Why am I pulling out my wallet?
“O should hire him to find where the next bailouts are going to come from”
LOL
>>Why am I pulling out my wallet?<<
Freepmail me and I’ll give you an adress to send the money to.
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