Showing posts with label tribute. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tribute. Show all posts
Monday, May 24, 2010
Martin Gardner - The Original 'Riddler'
Today and over the next few days, you will find, in the media and on many math and science blogs, many touching, almost reverential, tributes to the greatest puzzler of our generation. How I looked eagerly to the next edition of Scientific American when I was younger. We didn't have much money but my dad insisted on purchasing a subscription to this classic magazine, intended for those scientists and non-scientists who wanted to know what was happening in the forefront of modern science and mathematics. Of course, I turned immediately to the back page to tackle another set of Mr. Gardner's challenging puzzles. I was so proud of myself if I could solve even one of these! Many of his puzzles had an almost magical quality to them. Now you see it -- now you don't. My forte was the logic type of puzzle but I tried them all.
Martin Gardner died Saturday, 5-22-10, at the age of 95. (See the puzzle created below in dedication to Mr. Gardner).
By the way, 95 = 19x5, 94 = 47x2, 93 = 31x3.
It is only fitting that he left us at an age which is the largest 2-digit number with exactly two prime factors.
For you puzzlers out there, here is my conundrum dedicated to Mr. Gardner. Feel free to submit your solution, but only one, in the comments to this post. Our readers can choose which one they think is the most elegant. I found one way, but I'm certain there are others!
Can you form 95 using each of the digits 5-2-2-1-0 exactly once. No restrictions on the arithmetic operations, parentheses, factorials, roots, logs, etc... You may combine the digits to form numerals like 12 or 120.
He was not a mathematician, nor a professor, nor a scientist. Yet I feel strongly that he deeply influenced all of these groups as well as anyone who enjoyed the satisfaction of challenging the mind. Read about him in the Wikipedia article and in the many tributes. If you're too young to have experienced the sheer joy brought to so many of us then discover it for yourself by looking at the annals of Scientific American or reading one of Mr. Gardner's many books.
Martin Gardner was more than a maker of puzzles of course. He was also known as a debunker of quackery and pseudoscience. He was an amateur magician, a philosopher, a lover of knowledge, a true Renaissance Man - a man for the ages.
Dr. Gardner - thank you for making a difference in my life and the life of so many others. Now if only I could remember how to get the cherry out of the martini glass by moving two matches...
On behalf of all my fellow bloggers, my sincerest condolences to your family.
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"All Truth passes through Three Stages: First, it is Ridiculed... Second, it is Violently Opposed... Third, it is Accepted as being Self-Evident." - Arthur Schopenhauer (1778-1860) You've got to be taught To hate and fear, You've got to be taught From year to year, It's got to be drummed In your dear little ear You've got to be carefully taught. --from South Pacific
Posted by Dave Marain at 8:07 AM 14 comments
Labels: Martin Gardner, puzzles, tribute
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Thank You, Prof. Escalante...
Professor Escalante,
So many lives have changed course because of your influence and inspiration. You gave me reason to continue teaching when I was questioning my life's choices. You so affected a great actor like Edward James Olmos that he wanted to be there for you over two decades after the movie was released.
You showed all of us the difference one person can make -- when that person is a teacher who would not compromise his standards, who believed in the inherent potential of each of his students and whose dedication knew no bounds. You waged war against ignorance, racism and mediocrity.
I am retired now and I still well up when I see the movie that, for me, will remain timeless. As exceptional as the acting performances were, I came to believe that this was art imitating life -- that the real person behind the stage was even more remarkable than even Mr. Olmos' brilliant portrayal. As I replayed that movie year after year following the AP Exam, I sensed that each new group of students were also watching my reaction. I would interject personal comments throughout and they must have realized that this was far more than a movie to me. They must have known that I responded to certain scenes on a very personal level.
I knew from the first viewing that the movie was not only about the "greatest teacher in America", but was also the quintessential story of the life of every dedicated member of our profession. Thank you for validating all of our efforts.
Just as in the classroom, you were surrounded in the end by those who loved you. I wish to express my deepest condolences to your wife, children, grandchildren and your extended family. I am also deeply touched by Mr. Olmos' tireless efforts to making your last few months more bearable, although it saddens me that lack of funds made it difficult for you to obtain all the care you needed.
If it is not too presumptuous, may I speak for all those of our profession who feel indebted to you. May we now Stand in your honor and Deliver you to eternity...
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"When the Power of Love overcomes the Love of Power, the world will know peace..."
"All Truth passes through Three Stages: First, it is Ridiculed...
Second, it is Violently Opposed...
Third, it is Accepted as being Self-Evident."
- Arthur Schopenhauer (1778-1860)
So many lives have changed course because of your influence and inspiration. You gave me reason to continue teaching when I was questioning my life's choices. You so affected a great actor like Edward James Olmos that he wanted to be there for you over two decades after the movie was released.
You showed all of us the difference one person can make -- when that person is a teacher who would not compromise his standards, who believed in the inherent potential of each of his students and whose dedication knew no bounds. You waged war against ignorance, racism and mediocrity.
I am retired now and I still well up when I see the movie that, for me, will remain timeless. As exceptional as the acting performances were, I came to believe that this was art imitating life -- that the real person behind the stage was even more remarkable than even Mr. Olmos' brilliant portrayal. As I replayed that movie year after year following the AP Exam, I sensed that each new group of students were also watching my reaction. I would interject personal comments throughout and they must have realized that this was far more than a movie to me. They must have known that I responded to certain scenes on a very personal level.
I knew from the first viewing that the movie was not only about the "greatest teacher in America", but was also the quintessential story of the life of every dedicated member of our profession. Thank you for validating all of our efforts.
Just as in the classroom, you were surrounded in the end by those who loved you. I wish to express my deepest condolences to your wife, children, grandchildren and your extended family. I am also deeply touched by Mr. Olmos' tireless efforts to making your last few months more bearable, although it saddens me that lack of funds made it difficult for you to obtain all the care you needed.
If it is not too presumptuous, may I speak for all those of our profession who feel indebted to you. May we now Stand in your honor and Deliver you to eternity...
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"When the Power of Love overcomes the Love of Power, the world will know peace..."
"All Truth passes through Three Stages: First, it is Ridiculed...
Second, it is Violently Opposed...
Third, it is Accepted as being Self-Evident."
- Arthur Schopenhauer (1778-1860)
Posted by Dave Marain at 10:48 PM 0 comments
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