
Episode 1: The Unparalleled Genius of John von Neumann
This inaugural episode of The Privatdozent Podcast is based on the May 19th 2021 newsletter ‘The Unparalleled Genius of John von Neumann‘. Read by Steve King, the episode aims to highlight some of the unbelievable feats of “Johnny” von Neumann’s mind.
Chapters: Welcome (00:00), Introduction (00:31), Early Life (03:19), In University (09:27), In Göttingen (12:37), Set Theory (14:07), Game Theory (21.27), Quantum Mechanics (22:36), Operator Theory (29:25), At Princeton University (29:25), Ergodic Theory (30.31), At the Institute for Advanced Study (32:30), Geometry (34:45), The Manhattan Project (35:37), Work on Philosophy (37:24), Work on Computing (38:57), Consultancies (41:56), Personality (42:50), Later Years (47:04), Interview on Television (47:49).
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Episode 1: The Unparalleled Genius of John von Neumann
I think Johnny is one of the finest specimens our species has ever produced and he has always been the most fascinating scientific figure to me. I've read Norman Macrae's biography of John von Neumann and recently purchased his daughter's book The Martian's Daughter: A Memoir and his selected letters edited by Miklós Rédei. Wish to see more contents about Johnny here :)