Life In 19x19

I heard of this. It is very sad to lose someone of his stature. He was a victim but also a celebrity. But also he was a brilliant mathematician. We cannot afford to lose such people before their time.

DrStraw wrote:We cannot afford to lose such people before their time.

They say that the brightest flame burns quickest, and when it comes to genius, it is very often true. Maybe there is some cosmic scorekeeper who limits how much you can accomplish in your life. Once you reach your quota watch out! That could be why pretty much no one after Beethoven could write more than nine Symphonies. By this logic, the true secret to longevity is advanced laziness,, which I have to say sounds pretty attractive.

DrStraw wrote:I heard of this. It is very sad to lose someone of his stature. He was a victim but also a celebrity. But also he was a brilliant mathematician. We cannot afford to lose such people before their time.

Not to make less of the tragedy, but I think he was 80?

illluck wrote:

DrStraw wrote:I heard of this. It is very sad to lose someone of his stature. He was a victim but also a celebrity. But also he was a brilliant mathematician. We cannot afford to lose such people before their time.

Not to make less of the tragedy, but I think he was 80?

He was 86, her wife (who also died in the car crash) 82. I guess DrStraw points at the reason of death (car accident) and not the age (reaching 86 is quite some age)

He was fortunate to have lived long enough to receive not just his Nobel, but also the Abel Prize, which I'd suspect is something he'd personally have regarded even more highly.