Wittgenstein's visit to Ithaca in 1949 (2012) [pdf]

The anecdotes about the propagation of the mannerisms of Wittgenstein are a gem.

Here’s a particularly nice one about David Foster Wallace:

> James Wallace, who was a graduate student in philosophy in 1959-1962, not only learned philosophy at Cornell but also picked up a gesture of Wittgenstein. The gesture - hitting himself in the back of his head, to indicate what a fool he was was then passed on to his son, David Foster Wallace, who eventually figured out its origin.

He barely missed meeting Feynman here (XD) but there is a true story about the next best thing, Wittgenstein having Freeman Dyson over for coffee

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byi3vOnVodQ

I like the anecdotes about quirky logicians and I thought I'd share one... I was taking a logic class with Leonard Adleman (the A in RSA). I was doing pretty poorly in the class (not good at proofs) but he was pretty helpful and he asked why I was taking the class. I mentioned that I took a philosophy of language class that I liked and then he asked what I thought of Wittgenstein. I said that I'm interested in all that stuff but I understand Wittgenstein the least. Prof. Adleman pretty much agreed and said that he didn't get Wittgenstein. I told him I was worried about passing the class and he asked me if I'd be ok with a C- and I said yeah... Best C- of my academic experience!

Most interesting. The novelistic heritage is interesting: Murdoch and Gass directly, Wallace at one remove.

Great story. Wittgenstein wore his shoes without socks

This is really a good read. He is an odd man. But he is what he is. Thanks.