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submitted 3 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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[–] [email protected] 55 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Also from the article:

The writer Brett Forrest briefly interacted with Perelman in 2012. A reporter who had called him was told: "You are disturbing me. I am picking mushrooms."

I enjoy this man's focus and determination. I feel like the world probably missed out on good things when he left academia, but I can't blame the dude when I saw why he refused a million dollars for solving the Poincaré Conjecture. He seems like a person with very strong principles.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 2 months ago (3 children)

A million dollars buys a lot of food and shelter which gives you more time to do mushroom picking. And the process of accepting the prize probably wouldn't have taken more than a couple of days

[–] [email protected] 42 points 2 months ago

The article says that he refused the prize because he felt that he hadn't earned it. He felt that the prize should be awarded to Richard Hamilton who developed the theory Perelman used to fully solve the Poincaré Conjecture. I'm not saying it was the wisest or easiest solution. I was only trying to express my opinion that I find his adherence to his strong principles admirable.

I'm absolutely not advocating for anyone to turn down a million dollars. For anyone in a position where they can just, like, get a million bucks, take that shit and live a happier life!

[–] [email protected] 18 points 2 months ago (1 children)

There is no taking the money and staying true to your principles here. Either you say the whole sphere of academia is corrupt and fucked, or you take a nice big cash prize and play the game. Can't say taking money is bad and then take that money yourself

[–] [email protected] 0 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Yes you absolutely could. It takes 1m away from what is "corrupt and fucked" and helps me being the opposite. E.g. could buy me a lot of ads telling the world how corrupt and fucked it all is.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 months ago (1 children)

No, you can't. If you believe that academia is corrupted by money to the point you walk away from it, taking their accolades and cash prizes would make you a complete hypocrite. And nobody would take you or anything you say afterwards seriously any more.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 2 months ago

Sure, but also you do not accept the 1m and that's it. You're not changing the system, you're not furthering yourself, you "just" stood by your principles. Admitted, a million would alsp probably not help to correct the system.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago

With a million dollars you can buy mushrooms, making picking them feel pointless.