'World's smartest man' refuses $1m prize for solving math puzzle

[Nobar King]

I don't know much about math, but I know that I'm smarter than this guy:

'World's smartest man' refuses $1m prize for solving mathematics puzzle

A reclusive Russian genius has refused to accept $1m (£667,000) in prize money for solving the Poincare Conjecture, one of the most difficult puzzles in mathematics.

Published: 6:30AM GMT 24 Mar 2010

The bearded genius is known for his hatred of the limelight Photo: FRANCES ROBERTS

Dr Grigori Perelman, who has been dubbed "the smartest man in the world", refused the money, despite living in poverty in a cockroach-infested flat in St Petersburg.

When told of the prize, which was offered by the Clay Mathematics Institute in Cambridge, Massachusetts to anyone who could solve the conundrum, the Daily Mail reports that he refused to open the door, saying only: "I don't need anything. I have all I want."

The Poincare Conjecture basically asserts that any three-dimensional space without holes in it is equivalent to a stretched sphere and had confounded maths experts for more than a century.

But in 2003 Mr Perelman, who was working as a researcher at the Steklov Institute of Mathematics in St Petersburg, began posting papers on the internet suggesting he had solved the puzzle. Rigorous tests proved he was correct.

But the bearded genius, 44, is known for his hatred of the limelight. Four years ago, after posting his solution on the web, he failed to turn up to receive his prestigious Fields Medal from the International Mathematical Union in Madrid. At the time he stated: "I'm not interested in money or fame. I don't want to be on display like an animal in a zoo. "I'm not a hero of mathematics. I'm not even that successful, that is why I don't want to have everybody looking at me."

His friends now say he has given up mathematics.

I would have taken the million dollars.

[James Hutchins]

Re: 'World's smartest man' refuses $1m prize for solving math puz

It certainly does seem pretty stupid not to take the $1m prize. Did he choose a whistle instead? Makes you wonder if he really is the 'worlds smartest man'.

[Ezekiel Bathfire]

Re: 'World's smartest man' refuses $1m prize for solving math puz

“The good Christian should beware of mathematicians and all those who make empty prophecies. The danger already exists that mathematicians have made a covenant with the devil to darken the spirit and confine man in the bonds of Hell.”
-- Augustine (354-430)

[LOVE/HATE]

Re: 'World's smartest man' refuses $1m prize for solving math puz

Your misuse of logic makes me laugh.

Your brains say:
World's smartest man -> Does something different then how I would've done it -> Therefore NOT SMART

It should say something like this:
World's smartest man -> Does something different then how I would've done it -> Maybe he knows something I don't.

You guys never consider that possibility, do you?

[BelieverInGod]

Re: 'World's smartest man' refuses $1m prize for solving math puz

If he didn't want the money, he could of taken it and donated it to the Church.

I've heard secular "genius" often goes hand in hand with insanity.

[lovethyneighbour]

Re: 'World's smartest man' refuses $1m prize for solving math puz

It certainly does seem pretty stupid not to take the $1m prize. Did he choose a whistle instead? Makes you wonder if he really is the 'worlds smartest man'.

For someone so Christian you and the OP have shown one of the seven deadly sins, greed.

Believe it or not, money does not mean everything.

[D.L. Moody]

Re: 'World's smartest man' refuses $1m prize for solving math puz

If he didn't want the money, he could of taken it and donated it to the Church.

My thoughts, exactly. How selfish of this man not to think of the how the church might have benefitted from his 'gift'

[Cranky Old Man]

Re: 'World's smartest man' refuses $1m prize for solving math puz

You guys never consider that possibility, do you?

No. Someone who refuses a million dollars is an idiot. And so are the people, like you, who claim he is smart.

[lovethyneighbour]

Re: 'World's smartest man' refuses $1m prize for solving math puz

No. Someone who refuses a million dollars is an idiot. And so are the people, like you, who claim he is smart.

You are such a hypocrit.

First you REFUTE science (in your signature). Then you claim someone who is using SCIENCE to make a discovery is an idiot for refusing the money.

Would you like to claim $1 million dollars from other anti-christian ventures like ISLAM?

Also you are a sinner for giving way to GREED.

[Cranky Old Man]

Re: 'World's smartest man' refuses $1m prize for solving math puz

Then you claim someone who is using SCIENCE to make a discovery is an idiot for refusing the money.

I do indeed think he should not have wasted time on math and he should have studied the Holy Bible instead. But that is no the point. The point is that someone offered him a million dollar for something he already did and he refused to accept it. Only an idiot would do that. And only an idiot would defend his decision.

Also you are a sinner for giving way to GREED.

Don't talk nonsense. As you can see I am a platinum tither so I give a lot of money to the Church. If someone gave me a million dollar that would go to the Church as well.

[lovethyneighbour]

Re: 'World's smartest man' refuses $1m prize for solving math puz

I do indeed think he should not have wasted time on math and he should have studied the Holy Bible instead. But that is no the point. The point is that someone offered him a million dollar for something he already did and he refused to accept it. Only an idiot would do that. And only an idiot would defend his decision.

Don't talk nonsense. As you can see I am a platinum tither so I give a lot of money to the Church. If someone gave me a million dollar that would go to the Church as well.

No he has constantly stated that if he accepted the money he would appear as a puppet, and he does not want the fame. Sounds quite modest to me. A good honest man, who is NOT greedy. Obviously he COULD give the money away to charity, but it would still make him a famous 'puppet'.

[Oakland "Reb" Griner]

Re: 'World's smartest man' refuses $1m prize for solving math puz

My goodness, what is a stretched sphere anyhow?

And why should we care?


I think this might be some kind of homosexual abomination. I note the article omitted any mention of this mathematician having a wife or siring sons for Christ!

[Cranky Old Man]

Re: 'World's smartest man' refuses $1m prize for solving math puz

No he has constantly stated that if he accepted the money he would appear as a puppet, and he does not want the fame.

Which again proves he is an idiot, just like you. Refusing the million dollars has made him more famous than accepting it would ever have.

[Oakland "Reb" Griner]

Re: 'World's smartest man' refuses $1m prize for solving math puz

Which again proves he is an idiot, just like you. Refusing the million dollars has made him more famous than accepting it would ever have.

Excellent point!

He IS an attention whore! Just like Britney Spears and Paris Hilton!

This is deemed unseemly in Scripture!

[Oakland "Reb" Griner]

Re: 'World's smartest man' refuses $1m prize for solving math puz

In fact, this is contrary to God's Commandment to have no other Gods before me.

(God made that one first because it is so important)

This mathematician is idolizing himself by seeking publicity by declining the money. (and then failing to tithe it).

I also note that many of these attention whores are cursed by Almighty God with all manner of vile and loathsome parasites. The prize winner is beset by cockroaches, and Paris and Britney are plagued with disgusting insects and diseases in their private parts.