Alan Turing: Great Minds

Hank introduces us to that great mathematical mind, Alan Turing, who, as an openly gay man in the early 20th century faced brutal prejudice that eventually led to his suicide, despite being a genius war hero who helped the Allies defeat the Nazis.

[SaintsBro]

True definition of a hero. No violence, no ideal world, no desire to enforce his beliefs whatsoever. He simply wanted to solve a problem.

[johnadams]

He also pioneered pattern formation and mathematical biology. The man was PURE genius!

And for all the gay bashers out there, remember if it wasn't for Turing, you wouldn't be able to bash gay people while hiding behind a computer.

[insanityofmine]

I actually started tearing up when Hank neared the end. I'm not lying.

[myriaddsystems]

And this was very compassionately presented - which I respect, so thankyou SciShow.

[revmpandora]

Tesla, Turing....We sure know how to value great minds, don't we? We value the shit out of them, right into an early/undeserved grave. Yay humanity. Good job.

[Possen]

Many actually debate that the only reason the Allies actually beat the Axis was that we were able to break their codes since. They did not have that much of a military power and the only reason they continued winning battles was because we had no clue where they were going to strike next. Alan Turing may as well have single handedly won WW2.

[madmallow]

I was told Turing's story first time in 2012 by my computer science teacher and I simply couldn't believe it at the time. I couldn't believe that the reason we live in today's world, the reason we have thousands of new jobs and millions of new work places, the reason we live a much more comfortable life is was unknown to the majority of the earth population. I simply couldn't believe it how such a genius could've been overlooked and how his memory could've been forsaken. I thank the director of The Imitation Game for shedding light onto this man's existence and his contributions that have shaped our world. If history taught us anything, we need to keep our eyes and minds open to geniuses more often

[swip-swap]

Saying that he only saved British lives is wrong, his work saved the lives of Brits, Canadians, Australians, Americans, Soviets, French and even Germans and Japanese. He shortened the whole war by 2-4 years and the extent of his achievements are almost incalculable. An estimated 14 million people were saved because of him.

[blakeashley]

This says so much about humanity in such a short time and does so with sincere respect. Bravo.

[pam]

Alan Turing is honestly my favourite mathematician ever<3 he has inspired me so much and I'm going into engineering partly because of him :)

[cloverhighfive]

Science videos are not supposed to make me cry.

[hanzrizal]

I just had to rewatch this episode because I saw 'The Imitation Game' just a moment ago. It was one of the best films ever made. Now time to watch the new episode of 'Alan Turing' that scishow uploaded which I totally missed.

[brightmal]

We've come a long way since then, but we still have a long way to go.

[TheBlackDogChronicles]

The persecution of Alan Turing makes me more angry than I have words to express.  It is up there (for me) with the killing of Hypatia.  Yes, I know he killed himself - but let us for a moment stop and think about the pressure a great and visionary mind has stacked upon it to decide upon what I think is the ultimate failure of any individual.  The sad thing is, he could not see a world would come when love would be respected more.  Categorically; if love consensual, it is love and should be allowed to flourish.  Humans are sustained by love.  Scientists love questions and exploring them.  Turing's society failed to embrace him and thus the ongoing gifts he gave us (and would have continued to give us) on so many levels.  However, I feel some joy that we are able to say, "Thank you Alan Turing."

[SanguineThor]

Thanks for letting thousands of people know about this awesome person. His life was beautiful, his death he chose to make beautiful. I'm glad he existed in the same world i do.

[josephstout]

This was the first SciShow video I've been privileged to watch. I am now a subscriber.
I would like to thank you for posting it and letting more people know of this man's ULTRA MEGA SUPER GENIUS, and his contributions to our modern, non-fascist and computing world.
His treatment by the very society he help to save was beyond comprehension and his heroic genius should be shouted to the sky every time a homophobe freely (with the freedom Turing helped to preserve mind you) posts their hate online with his invention. As I now use a machine that would not be in front of me, if not for Mr. Turing, I note that no superlative is adequate to honor him. We literally owe him the WORLD! 

[ChaoticAnswers]

With no exaggeration at all, some mathematicians and engineers are the most powerful people that have ever existed. They create your reality.

[transcatgirl]

If only we could bring him back. Show him how much more accepting the world is and how much he is responsible for

[StratfordWingRider]

Wow Hank, I could really see the geniune respect and admiration of the great man here. Not appreciated in his own time, but remembered and respected so highly now. Tragic.

[nukesakuji]

I knew of Alan Turing already but just watching another video of him makes me sad especially when he pointed out the problems he had because of his sexuality. It's depressing in itself..the fact that he did all this and saved humanity only to end up committing suicide because society did not accept his true self is enough to make me cry.