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> I've noticed that some of the really great mathematics > work (e.g. Grigori Perelman) seems to come from > outsiders, That impression may simply be bias

by apl 15y ago

> I've noticed that some of the really great mathematics > work (e.g. Grigori Perelman) seems to come from > outsiders, That impression may simply be bias at work. Put together and successful do not form an interesting narrative; mentally ill and successful definitely do. We have a tendency to ignore, or take for granted, outstanding accomplishments that fail to involve weirdness. Within the circus of intellectual greatness, normality isn't interesting. In fact, I'd suggest the opposite of your proposal. Breakthroughs do require obsession, yes, and a certain awkwardness comes with the territory. True mental illness and grossly maladjusted behavior, however, generally stand in the way of attaining them (except, of course, for a handful and thus famous cases). Don't look further than Perelman's struggles.

nodemaker 15y ago
>True mental illness and grossly maladjusted behavior, however, generally stand in the way of attaining them (except, of course, for a handful and thus famous cases). Don't look further than Perelman's struggles. I dont think drawing a comparison between Perelman(the guy who proved poincare conjecture) and Terry Davis is fair. Although Davis is clearly talented, Perelman is one of the best minds of the century. Also as far as I understand there is some good reasoning behind Perelman's rejection of the establishment and in fact it might even be contributing to his ability to solve problems no one else seems to be capable of solving. "I can't say I'm outraged. Other people do worse. Of course, there are many mathematicians who are more or less honest. But almost all of them are conformists. They are more or less honest, but they tolerate those who are not honest." - Pereleman refering to the efforts of Yau to downplay Perelman's role in the proof of Poincare Conjecture. "It was completely irrelevant for me,” he said. “Everybody understood that if the proof is correct then no other recognition is needed." - Perelman when asked about his rejection of the Fields Medal. http://www.newyorker.com/archive/2006/08/28/060828fa_fact2?currentPage=all http://www.newyorker.com/archive/2006/08/28/060828fa_fact2?c...

by apl 15y ago

nodemaker 15y ago

>True mental illness and grossly maladjusted behavior, however, generally stand in the way of attaining them (except, of course, for a handful and thus famous cases). Don't look further than Perelman's struggles. I dont think drawing a comparison between Perelman(the guy who proved poincare conjecture) and Terry Davis is fair. Although Davis is clearly talented, Perelman is one of the best minds of the century. Also as far as I understand there is some good reasoning behind Perelman's rejection of the establishment and in fact it might even be contributing to his ability to solve problems no one else seems to be capable of solving. "I can't say I'm outraged. Other people do worse. Of course, there are many mathematicians who are more or less honest. But almost all of them are conformists. They are more or less honest, but they tolerate those who are not honest." - Pereleman refering to the efforts of Yau to downplay Perelman's role in the proof of Poincare Conjecture. "It was completely irrelevant for me,” he said. “Everybody understood that if the proof is correct then no other recognition is needed." - Perelman when asked about his rejection of the Fields Medal. http://www.newyorker.com/archive/2006/08/28/060828fa_fact2?currentPage=all http://www.newyorker.com/archive/2006/08/28/060828fa_fact2?c...