Dr Grigory Perelman turns down $1million prize

Completely inaccurate title. The article itself states: "The Clay Institute did not say whether the Russian mathematician agreed to accept his prize."

It does say "Russian news agencies say that Perelman showed absolutely no interest in his latest prize - $1 million – from the Clay Institute.", but that's not the same as him turning it down.

Perelman made every effort to stay out of the public life, yet every few months someone robs him of his right to privacy by snapping a picture of him in public, often in unflattering appearance.

Just leave him alone. Don't visit any site that preys on him.

It seems he had denied the Fields Medal in 2006 ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grigori_Perelman ).

I found this Newyorker article (2006) interesting ( http://www.newyorker.com/archive/2006/08/28/060828fa_fact2?c... )

He should just take it and give it to his mom.

I don't really know how safe Russia is as a country but would it be wise for a teacher there to just accept $1 million without taking some precautions ?

Personally I'd say the first precaution would be to move with the family in the US, presumably to another large institution.

It's strange how reclusive the guy became (was he always like this?). I wonder if all this attention is getting him to lose interest in math.

On the other hand, without being in the spotlight, will the contributions really be acknowledged as fast as they should ?

I mean -- the guy had to solve one of the Millennium Problems to be noticed. What other "minor" stuff did he do that goes unnoticed because of his lack of "fame" or because he's not from an institution with a great pedigree ?