Man who Solved World’s Toughest Math Problem, then Disappeared

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Man who said No to Fields Medal and A Million Dollar Prize

TimeStamps
00:00 A Star is Born
02:34 Early Life & Beginnings
05:14 Early Mathematical Work
09:30 The Big Prize: Poincaré & Ricci Flow
13:24 Fame, Awards & the Drama of Declining Them
16:20 Personal Life

In 2002, the mathematics world was shaken. Grigori Perelman, an enigmatic mathematician from Leningrad, uploaded a series of terse papers online, solving one of the most legendary puzzles in math: the century-old Poincaré conjecture. A deceptively simple-sounding question—does every three-dimensional shape that acts like a sphere actually have to be a sphere?—had baffled the greatest minds since Henri Poincaré posed it in 1904. Perelman’s solution wasn’t just a victory; it was a seismic event in mathematical history.

Yet what followed was perhaps even more surprising. Perelman refused every prestigious award offered, including the Fields Medal—the highest accolade in mathematics—and the million-dollar Millennium Prize from the Clay Mathematics Institute. His refusal sparked controversy, admiration, and confusion. Instead of accepting recognition, he retreated from the limelight, famously remarking, “I don’t want to be on display like an animal in a zoo.”

This documentary explores not only the monumental impact of Perelman's proof but also the profound questions it raised about fame, ethics, and the purity of intellectual pursuit. Through his groundbreaking use of Ricci flow—a sophisticated geometric smoothing process—Perelman navigated previously insurmountable mathematical barriers, reshaping the understanding of three-dimensional spaces. As he retreated from public view, his legend grew, becoming a symbol of intellectual integrity and personal sacrifice.

Join us as we unravel the fascinating story behind one of mathematics' most elusive figures, a genius who mapped the geometry of the universe but chose solitude over celebration. Discover the drama behind the proof, the ethical battles for credit, and the quiet yet powerful life of a scholar who reminds us that true discovery often occurs far from applause and acclaim.


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