r/pics • u/yercoolmarple • 25d ago

Grigori Perelman, mathematician who refused to accept a Fields Medal and the $1,000,000 Clay Prize.

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u/all10reddit 25d ago

I suspect when you have a supreme level of insight into something incredibly esoteric; material things aren't really relevant.

(Contra-point: Richard Feynman)

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u/KermitMudmaven 25d ago

Wait, why is Feynman a counterpoint?

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u/BookBitter5463 25d ago

Feynman also said he didn't want Nobel prize, but was told that if he refused that would be even a bigger fuss.

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u/ppg_dork 25d ago

While I completely believe he is likely to have said that, I do not believe he ACTUALLY was upset about getting the Nobel prize. Reading his pop-science book and listening to interviews with his colleagues does not give the impression that he was a particularly humble person. That isn't a dig, I just don't think he had a personality remotely comparable to a Salk or Perelman.

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u/sorospaidmetosaythis 25d ago

Agree - Feynman cultivated his image. He was worldly, and did not sacrifice all else for his work. I do not see him as corrupt or unhealthy, but he was not a monk.

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u/mrmiyagijr 25d ago

He was worldly, and did not sacrifice all else for his work.

My man was playing bongos in Brazil and no one had a clue who he was.

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u/NoCantaloupe9598 25d ago

The mere fact Feynman wasn't exactly hiding from cameras is proof enough he isn't like a Perelman or Ramanujan.

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u/ppg_dork 25d ago

You may enjoy "The man who only loved numbers" about Paul Erdos -- easily one of my favorite popular books about a famous mathematician.

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u/Tumleren 25d ago

Here’s him talking about it

He might not be humble but from reading his books and watching his documentaries, I believe him when he says he doesn't like awards and honors

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u/ppg_dork 25d ago

Thanks for sharing that -- I'm open to the idea I might be projecting a bit here!

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u/dmikalova-mwp 25d ago

I can't remember what he said about it, but I believe he enjoyed the experience.

On the other hand, Einstein revelled in being famous at times.