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The Saint of Mathematics

physicsforstudents.com

45 pointsramesh318 comments

“The world, for years, had been waiting for a solution for the most difficult problem in mathematics. Termed as the millennium problem by the Clay Mathematical Institute, it challenged the world’s best brains.”

This is a bit overly dramatic since there are actually six more so called ‘millenium problems’ to solve. Anyway I enjoyed the read and learned something new about this fabulous achievement.

Well, he could have given Hamilton the million dollars—or half, and donated his half to a worthy cause.

Or Stefan Banach and Alfred Tarski, who would have doubled the money.

(In case you didn't catch that fine joke:

"The Banach–Tarski paradox [...] states the following: Given a solid ball in three-dimensional space, there exists a decomposition of the ball into a finite number of disjoint subsets, which can then be put back together in a different way to yield two identical copies of the original ball."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banach–Tarski_paradox )

I imagine he would find that hypocritical. Not quite the same scenario, but I'm reminded of "Thank You For Smoking" where the Marlboro Man (Lorne Lutch) is suing the tobacco company:

Lorne Lutch: [in his home] Weren't you on that show?

Nick Naylor: Yeah it was me

Lorne Lutch: You're lucky you made it out of there alive

Nick Naylor: Tobacco used to be all over the television, now TV's leading the witch hunt.

Lorne Lutch: Strange business, last year when after I was diagnosed I attended the annual stock holder's convention I stood up and told them I think they should cut back on their advertising you know what your boss said to me? He said "we're certainly sorry to hear about your medical problem until we know more about your medical history we can't comment further", then they tried to pretend I never worked for them, I got the pay stubs hell, I was on the damn bill boards I suppose we all got to pay the mortgage so you're here to talk me into shutting up?

Nick Naylor: Yeah basically, no not "basically" that's exactly it

Lorne Lutch: My dignity isn't for sale

Nick Naylor: It's not an offer, it's a gift the taxes have all been paid you get to keep it no matter what you do, the idea is your guilt will prevent you from bad mouthing us

Lorne Lutch: Are you supposed to be telling me all that?

Nick Naylor: No sir, just apologize give you the money and leave

Lorne Lutch: Why are you telling me this?

Nick Naylor: Because this way you'll take the money

Lorne Lutch: Why would I do that?

Nick Naylor: Because you're mad

Lorne Lutch: Damn straight I am

Lorne Lutch: [Referring to the money] what am I going to do with it?

Nick Naylor: Donate it, yeah start the Lower Less Cancer Foundation

Lorne Lutch: Wait a minute, what about my family?

Nick Naylor: You can't keep the money

Lorne Lutch: Why the hell not?

Nick Naylor: Denounce us and keep the blood money?

Lorne Lutch: I've got to think this over

Nick Naylor: News doesn't work that way you can't denounce us next week

Lorne Lutch: I don't suppose I can denounce you for half of it

Nick Naylor: No, you either keep all the money or give it all away

TLDR: He did maths for love and declined a prize and never had a woman. Mathematicians are more ethical than other people blablabla he's a saint.

The mathematitians I know, don't care much about other people ;)

Perhaps principled fits better?

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