12.25.10
I hope this email finds you well. I was browsing NY Times and found this little article. I had no idea that this very famous mathematician/magician died this past October. It amazes me how I could miss something like this. I have to start paying more attention to the news...
Anyway, this article gives a little bit of background on Benoit Mandelbrot, the creator of fractal geometry. I'm impressed by this guy because of his willingness attack simple everyday questions (this is also why I like Freakonomics)...like the ones other mathematicians had 'quite literally' (say with British accent) thrown out with the rubbage.
Maybe the key to all of this is becoming a 'nomad by choice'...
But then again, I don't understand how Mandelbrot can say he did this? I don't think his discoveries would have been possible if he completely disconnect himself from everything (e.g. looking at someones crumpled up math proof).
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