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You have zero idea of what he thinks. If he is depressed about living with his mom, he hides it well. He is depressed about teh state of politics in math, not a

You have zero idea of what he thinks. If he is depressed about living with his mom, he hides it well. He is depressed about teh state of politics in math, not about his lifestyle. He didn't say, "I have no choice," he said, "I have everything I need." Those are not the words of a depressed man. Furthermore, a founder couch surfing does not hate their existence and only endures it because they hope to strike it big. A founder is having fun working on their dream and will later have a different kind of fun when they later strike it rich. lA friend of mine hit it out of the park. When I was living in Parkdale (a poor neighborhood in Toronto that is fighting gentrification tooth and nail), he visited my apartment. His words? "This reminds me of my college days in Montréal. Those were good times!" I later asked him whether money changed anything. He said, and I kid you not, that he and his wife used to drive to Grateful Dead concerts, now they flew and could take friends with them. I am not so sure Perelman needs anything else. His mathematical achievement is on par with anything else done in the last century. If this were business, he would be Gates or Ellison or Buffet. If one of those guys declined an award that had no cash value, we wouldn't blink. Why should Perelman desire an award that has no mathematical insight attached? It literally has nothing to offer him, nothing. Money is your currency. Knowledge is his. Don't accuse him of a harsh and depressing life until you can make a case that his life lacks the things that matter to him.

aresant 17y ago
You disagree with me making a generalization, yet you sling one right back at me in your "Money is your currency." comment above, which I guess brings us sort of full circle. Beyond that, well argued. Let me clarify my original comment, and then I’ll shut up on this: There is, in my experience, a flat acceptance of eccentricity in brilliant minds. Yet, when those of less accomplishment display similar eccentricities, peers may be more apt to question behavior. The evidence in that article, when measured against a "normal" man suggests to me depression, or mental disease. My comment was made in earnest, I hope that somebody along the way has made that consideration - ultimately we're arguing the same thing, don't make assumptions.
- raganwald 17y ago
  You are right, the "money is your currency" line was inappropriate, I apologise.

aresant 17y ago

You disagree with me making a generalization, yet you sling one right back at me in your "Money is your currency." comment above, which I guess brings us sort of full circle. Beyond that, well argued. Let me clarify my original comment, and then I’ll shut up on this: There is, in my experience, a flat acceptance of eccentricity in brilliant minds. Yet, when those of less accomplishment display similar eccentricities, peers may be more apt to question behavior. The evidence in that article, when measured against a "normal" man suggests to me depression, or mental disease. My comment was made in earnest, I hope that somebody along the way has made that consideration - ultimately we're arguing the same thing, don't make assumptions.

raganwald 17y ago
You are right, the "money is your currency" line was inappropriate, I apologise.