This guy is awesome.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/03/24/grigori-perelman-reclusiv_n_511938.html
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/03/24/grigori-perelman-reclusiv_n_511938.html
"You are disturbing me. I am picking mushrooms."
- Thread starter Snaploud
- Start date
Very eccentric, as geniuses usually are.
Why, in particular, do you think he's awesome?
Why, in particular, do you think he's awesome?
I think quirky people are awesome. The universe can do with the variety. *shrugs*
Plus, the answer to the reporter really cracked me up.
^^That's deep.
I think he's a self-centered prick. His family is poor and living in Russia, which means grinding poverty. He refused a million dollars. Imagine the life he could offer them if he took the money. And why not? It's not even like he'd be "selling out".
I think he's a self-centered prick. His family is poor and living in Russia, which means grinding poverty. He refused a million dollars. Imagine the life he could offer them if he took the money. And why not? It's not even like he'd be "selling out".
Do you really think he's capable of dealing with that much money?
For one thing he'd be hounded night and day by charities and other causes looking for him to donate.
The article doesn't say they poor, just that they live humbly - it could be by choice, his choice to keep his life to the bare minimum so that he can cope with it.
For one thing he'd be hounded night and day by charities and other causes looking for him to donate.
The article doesn't say they poor, just that they live humbly - it could be by choice, his choice to keep his life to the bare minimum so that he can cope with it.
^^ Are you familiar with how most people live in Russia? To say they live humbly by choice is possible, but it seems very unlikely and naive. He's certainly living that way by choice. I doubt his family is. If he can't handle the money and responsibility, I'm sure one of his "humble" family members would be glad to.
Yes I do understand how most people live in Russia. I just question the assumption that a sudden influx of money would make things better.
What the Clay Mathematics Institute could do - if they care at all - is offer to set up an account that pays a monthly amount to him. Enough to make life easier for them but not enough that anyone's going to be making a fuss.
What the Clay Mathematics Institute could do - if they care at all - is offer to set up an account that pays a monthly amount to him. Enough to make life easier for them but not enough that anyone's going to be making a fuss.
Thespeckledkiwi
Vice Admiral
Money isn't everything to a person. Especially geniuses. Some have a different concept of material goods.
I find in the article that this is proven to be the case for this man.
I find in the article that this is proven to be the case for this man.
I agree. Down with conformity. This guy should join TrekBBS-- except he probably doesn't have Internet access.
I get the impression that he's a man of principles. He claims to be unhappy with the ethical standards of his colleagues, as in them expressing unwarranted bias over whose work is worthy of the most acclaim.
He also said (more or less) that he doesn't believe he is that great a mathematician.
Perhaps he does not feel that the one problem he solved was enough to warrant the prestige now being forced upon him. He may feel there are others who are more deserving of recognition for their contributions to mathematics than him.
He refusal of the award would make sense in that light. -- It's not about the money, it's all about his sense of ethics.
Or it could be the Mushrooms. 
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