the roamerAug 31, 2024

Thoughtful and moving piece about the later life of the great mathematician Alexander Grothendieck.

A complex and troubled life, empathetically and intelligently reconstructed by writer Phil Hoad. We meet Grothendieck's family and fellow mathematiciens. Deeply insightful.

I usually enjoy the "long read" articles you sometimes find in the weekend papers. This is Long Read at its best.

https://www.theguardian.com/science/article/2024/aug/31/alexander-grothendieck-huawei-ai-artificial-intelligence?CMP=share_btn_url

#AlexanderGrothendieck #mathematicians #mathematics #biographies #PhilHoad

‘He was in mystic delirium’: was this hermit mathematician a forgotten genius whose ideas could transform AI – or a lonely madman?

In isolation, Alexander Grothendieck seemed to have lost touch with reality, but some say his metaphysical theories could contain wonders

The Guardian
CheshireMay 4, 2023
‘We use chess as a spine’: the Corsican revolutionaries teaching children moves beyond the board
https://www.theguardian.com/global/2023/may/04/we-use-chess-as-a-spine-the-corsican-movement-teaching-children-moves-beyond-the-board?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other
#PhilHoad
Kings, pawns and little citizens: the island where children love chess

Corsica’s schools have become a laboratory for a chess revolution that’s about much more than winning moves

The Guardian