One Smart Infidel

International Herald Tribune via Israellycool:

A mathematical mystery that has baffled the top minds in the esoteric field of symbolic dynamics for nearly four decades has recently been cracked — by a 63-year-old former security guard.

Avraham Trakhtman, a mathematician who worked as a laborer after immigrating to Israel from Russia, has succeeded where dozens have failed, solving the elusive "Road Coloring Problem."

Dang.

Comments

[MikeT]

Good Will Hunting, anyone?

[Isaac Schrödinger]

Yeah, I was reminded of that as well. Though, Avraham had extensive experience in mathematics before he worked as a laborer.

It's amazing to see how so many brilliant and gifted people go through so much hardship.