Reclusive top mathematician turns down prize, again

Yahoo News ^ | 2 July, 2010

[Errant]

Link to Article

[nmh]

“”I have turned down (the award),” Perelman told the Interfax news agency by telephone. “The main reason is disagreement with the organised mathematics community. I do not like their decisions, I consider them unfair.”

“I think that the contribution of American mathematician (Richard) Hamilton in solving this problem is no less than mine.”

...

He's been turning down awards since 1936.

Either he is arrogant or turned off by the arrogance of others? I don't know but he is an interesting character. Does anyone else know about him?

[fidelis]

This mathematician turned down a million clams? Maybe he needs to recalculate that.

[pepsi_junkie]

He hasnt been turning down awards since 1936, the Fields Medal has been awarded annually since 1936 and he’s the first person to ever decline to accept. He’s in his 40s. There was a prior article about him when he rejected some medal, he apparently is a very eccentric person.

[James C. Bennett]

To some people, their principles are worth more than a couple of million dollars.

[PetroniusMaximus]

“He’s been turning down awards since 1936.”

“...born on 13 June 1966”

Now there’s some math for you!

:)

[sniper63]

Sounds like he would like to share the honor with a fellow Mathematician.

[DIRTYSECRET]

I find those people interesting. As long as they don’t get it on with barnyard animals. Probably part of the NBC(no bath crowd).

[Errant]

[bolobaby]

“”I think that the contribution of American mathematician (Richard) Hamilton in solving this problem is no less than mine.””

So, if this guy is such a genius, how come he hasn’t figured out to accept the award and GIVE half of it to Hamilton? This jackass may not want the money, but I bet Hamilton wouldn’t mind $500,000.

What an asshat.

[stansblugrassgrl]

“organised mathematics community”

That phrase cracked me up. I didn’t know there was one!

[Fido969]

"In Russia you don't get prize - prize get YOU!"

[AnotherUnixGeek]

he apparently is a very eccentric person.

I'd say he's a man who lives by his principles. He could easily be working in the West as a researcher or teacher, making far more money if money were important to him. Instead he has rejected positions at Stanford and Princeton in addition to the million dollars of the Millenium Prize and still lives in Russia with his mother.

[VastRWCon]

He could be the most interesting man in the world.

Stay thirsty my friends.

[Errant]

"In Russia you don't get prize - prize get YOU!"

I think it is the same in America now. After the Feds get .5 and the state gets .25 and the CPA gets .5 to wade through the mountain of paper work and your life is ruined from others bugging you for handouts for the foreseeable future, you'll be better off to just say "screw it" like Mr. Perelman.

[Errant]

Oopps, Errant made another Error....

CPAs & Attorneys get .05

[nmh]

“He’s been turning down awards since 1936.”

“...born on 13 June 1966”

Now there’s some math for you!

:)

I don’t have my glasses on!

My mistake - OLD eyes.

[nmh]

“He’s been turning down awards since 1936.”

“...born on 13 June 1966”

Now there’s some math for you!

:)

I don’t have my glasses on!

My mistake - OLD eyes.

[nmh]

I don't have my glasses on so I misread it.

Old eyes!

If Obama had his way, he'd get rid of me - euthanasia.

[snowsislander]

Mr. Perelman has given the world an answer that we spent a long time seeking, and his mathematical fame will last a far longer time than virtually any current politician's or pop star's fleeting fame.

He's certainly entitled to accept or refuse awards based on his principles.