Donald Knuth’s 80th birthday will be celebrated by two events in Piteå, Sweden

#1

Post by merrua » Tue, Nov 28, 2017, 9:38 AM UTC

Donald Knuth’s 80th birthday will be celebrated by two events in Piteå, Sweden
knuth80.elfbrink.se

Re: Donald Knuth’s 80th birthday will be celebrated by two events in Piteå, Sweden

#2

Post by wrinkl3 » Tue, Nov 28, 2017, 1:41 PM UTC

Knuth 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.

Re: Donald Knuth’s 80th birthday will be celebrated by two events in Piteå, Sweden

#3

Post by estomagordo » Tue, Nov 28, 2017, 2:13 PM UTC

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.

Re: Donald Knuth’s 80th birthday will be celebrated by two events in Piteå, Sweden

#4

Post by fdej » Tue, Nov 28, 2017, 2:14 PM UTC

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.

Re: Donald Knuth’s 80th birthday will be celebrated by two events in Piteå, Sweden

#5

Post by estomagordo » Tue, Nov 28, 2017, 2:17 PM UTC

fdej wrote: post #4

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.

Re: Donald Knuth’s 80th birthday will be celebrated by two events in Piteå, Sweden

#6

Post by 1123581321 » Tue, Nov 28, 2017, 2:37 PM UTC

fdej wrote: post #4

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.

Three more years until 83, unless I’m misunderstanding.

Re: Donald Knuth’s 80th birthday will be celebrated by two events in Piteå, Sweden

#7

Post by tsm » Tue, Nov 28, 2017, 2:49 PM UTC

1123581321 wrote: post #6

fdej wrote: post #4

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.

Three more years until 83, unless I’m misunderstanding.

"power", 81 = 3^4

Re: Donald Knuth’s 80th birthday will be celebrated by two events in Piteå, Sweden

#8

Post by 1123581321 » Tue, Nov 28, 2017, 2:58 PM UTC

tsm wrote: post #7

1123581321 wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Three more years until 83, unless I’m misunderstanding.

"power", 81 = 3^4

Thank you.

Re: Donald Knuth’s 80th birthday will be celebrated by two events in Piteå, Sweden

#9

Post by [deleted] » Tue, Nov 28, 2017, 3:02 PM UTC

1123581321 wrote: post #6

fdej wrote: post #4

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.

Three more years until 83, unless I’m misunderstanding.

[deleted]

Re: Donald Knuth’s 80th birthday will be celebrated by two events in Piteå, Sweden

#10

Post by BellsOnSunday » Tue, Nov 28, 2017, 3:13 PM UTC

wrinkl3 wrote: post #2

Knuth 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 spirit…

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.