Donald Knuth’s 80th birthday will be celebrated by two events in Piteå, Sweden
knuth80.elfbrink.seKnuth is a unique character. I read the more personal of his books last year, "Things a Computer Scientist Rarely Talks About". It's essentially a transcript of several open lectures he gave at Stanford on topics ranging from his hobbies and side-projects to his thoughts on the Bible and his Christian faith. I've been a staunch atheist for the majority of my life, but seeing Knuth talk so comfortably about his spirituality actually helped me appreciate religion more.
What's the little book of his about a man and a woman trapped on an island where they geekily explain things to each other? I might be misremembering the setting...started it once but it was pretty cheesy.
Surreal Numbers
It makes me sad that Knuth will no longer be at a prime age, but on the other hand, one more year and he will return to perfect power.
Meh, at least he'll be semiperfect for a year.
Three more years until 83, unless I’m misunderstanding.
"power", 81 = 3^4
Thank you.
For some reason, I stumbled across this website way back in August, before it was at all publicly discussed or advertised. So I secured tickets early on, filed for vacation and am gonna enjoy this so much.
I'm really glad you're able to go and I hope that somebody who attends will write up a report that the rest of us can read!
Sure will!
Long may https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2014/10/23/magazine/old-... be relevant!
On the other hand, he'll only be 0x50 in hex years!
Why Piteå, of all places?
Maybe because of the awesome organ they have there ?