John von Neumann (190 IQ) was smarter than Einstein (160 IQ) Einstein called him “the smartest person I know.” Yet most people have never heard his name. Here’s the forgotten story of John von Neumann, one of history’s most important geniuses:
He was born in Budapest in 1903. By 6 years old, he could: • Memorize entire pages of books at a glance • Do complex division faster than adults with paper • Speak fluent Greek and Latin His father called him a “living calculator.” Teachers were in awe.
But that was just the beginning. At 15, he was solving math problems that professors couldn’t. He had a photographic memory and could recite entire textbooks word for word. Yet he didn’t study.
He was born in Budapest in 1903.
By 6 years old, he could:
• Memorize entire pages of books at a glance • Do complex division faster than adults with paper • Speak fluent Greek and Latin
Today? AI is running the world. But von Neumann saw an even bigger problem ahead. He warned that technology would advance faster than humans could control. He called this “the singularity”—a future where AI surpasses human intelligence.
Even as he suffered, he continued working—giving classified military briefings from his hospital bed. His mind was as sharp as ever. But his body gave out. At 53, the greatest mind of the 20th century was gone. John von Neumann built the foundation of:
Life event that changes all: Horse riding accident in Zimbabwe in 1993, a fractured skull et al including bipolar anxiety, chronic fatigue …. co-morbidities (Nietzche 'He who has the reason why can deal with any how' details my health history from 1993 to date). 17th 2017 August operation for breast cancer (no indications just an appointment came from BreastCheck through the Post). Trinity College Dublin Business Economics and Social Studies (but no degree) 1997-2003; UCD 1997/1998 night classes) essays, projects, writings. Trinity Horizon Programme 1997/98 (Centre for Women Studies Trinity College Dublin/St. Patrick's Foundation (Professor McKeon) EU Horizon funded: research study of 15 women (I was one of this group and it became the cornerstone of my journey to now 2017) over 9 mth period diagnosed with depression and their reintegration into society, with special emphasis on work, arts, further education; Notes from time at Trinity Horizon Project 1997/98; Articles written for Irishhealth.com 2003/2004; St Patricks Foundation monthly lecture notes for a specific period in time; Selection of Poetry including poems written by people I know; Quotations 1998-2017; other writings mainly with theme of social justice under the heading Citizen Journalism Ireland. Letters written to friends about life in Zimbabwe; Family history including Michael Comyn KC, my grandfather, my grandmother's family, the O'Donnellan ffrench Blake-Forsters; Moral wrong: An acrimonious divorce but the real injustice was the Catholic Church granting an annulment – you can read it and make your own judgment, I have mine. Topics I have written about include annual Brain Awareness week, Mashonaland Irish Associataion in Zimbabwe, Suicide (a life sentence to those left behind); Nostalgia: Tara Hill, Co. Meath.
canisgallicus 