Math Genius Solves 100 Year Old Problem, Then Refuses Million Dollar Prize

[The Straight Story]

Math Genius Solves 100 Year Old Problem, Then Refuses Million Dollar Prize

The Poincare conjecture was a seemingly unsolvable theorem that was first proposed in 1904. Dealing with a branch of spatial mathematics called topology, the theorem sought to prove that any shape without a hole can be formed into a sphere. Sounds simple enough, right? Tell that to the math world, which, for over a century, struggled to prove the elusive conjecture even possible, inadvertently turning it into one of the community's Holy Grails.

But Russian mathematician Grigory Perelman published two proofs of the theorem back in 2002 and 2003, and according to The Utopianist, it wasn't until last year that a team of advanced mathematicians at the Clay Mathematical Institute (CMI) finally proved his results valid.

His reward? One million dollars and the Fields Medal, or the math world's equivalent of the Nobel Prize. But the private Perelman shrugged off the invite to accept the cash, saying that the knowledge he gained from proving the conjecture was more valuable than any monetary gain.

"Emptiness is everywhere and it can be calculated, which gives us a great opportunity. I know how to control the universe. So tell me, why should I run for a million?” he told Komsomolskaya Pravda, a daily Russian newspaper.

So how did he solve the problem? Simple: by channeling Jesus.

http://techland.time.com/2011/05/03/math-genius-solves-100-year-old-problem-then-refuses-million-dollar-prize/

[LiberalAndProud]

1. So the article fails to answer the question ...

How fast did Jesus have to walk?

[Nye Bevan]

2. An old-fashioned true eccentric genius

What a great story, in this mercenary age. Huge kudos to that dude.

[buddysmellgood]

3. Here to accept the award on Perelman's behalf is Buddy Smellgood.

[AsahinaKimi]

9. wait..I could see this as an episode of Family Guy...

Peter Griffin excepting the award on behalf of Perelman!

[buddysmellgood]

11. That would be good. :)

[frebrd]

4. Couldn't he have taken the money......

and donated it to some beneficial charitable cause? Must be a clueless conservative.

[NoGOPZone]

5. Interesting story, but the blog is a little late.

Perelman refused the award last year.

[Renew Deal]

6. So what does he have to say about 48 ÷ 2(9+3)

:shrug:

[KittyWampus]

8. lol!

[GreenPartyVoter]

10. *snarf*

[ChoppinBroccoli]

7. Did He Work As A Janitor At His College's Math Department?

All my knowledge of the world comes from movies, so I'm just going to assume that he did. And that he vaguely resembles Matt Damon too.