The man who won World War II was not hailed as a hero until midway through the 2010's. Most people still don't know his name. I bet many of my Tweeple do, because you peeps are smart.
1/8
1/8
The depth of his classified record wasn't revealed until the 1990s. I knew about his achievements in the 1970s, because I'm a computer science geek and a history freak. And I'm old.
He committed suicide in the 1950s, at the age of 41.
2/8
He committed suicide in the 1950s, at the age of 41.
2/8
He killed himself because he'd been persecuted by the British government for something right-wing American fascists and televangelists again want to make a crime.
Some think we might have beaten Hitler without this man's help.
3/8
Some think we might have beaten Hitler without this man's help.
3/8
At the least, it would have taken two more years and and additional 14 million dead as military and civilian casualties.
But we could also have lost the war entirely.
I take a lesson from this.
Fascism was beaten--not by armies, but by a small group of dedicated nerds.
4/8
But we could also have lost the war entirely.
I take a lesson from this.
Fascism was beaten--not by armies, but by a small group of dedicated nerds.
4/8
Alan Turing and a small team he lead found a way to decode the secret messages the Nazis used to pass information. Every Allied success in Europe after 1941 was due to Alan Turing.
His work also led to the computer. The one you are reading this tweet on right now.
5/8
His work also led to the computer. The one you are reading this tweet on right now.
5/8
Most of his work was considered top secret until the 1990s. Only computer science geeks and history freaks knew about it.
Alan Turing was also a gay man. Homosexuality was illegal in England. He was forced to agree to chemical castration in the early 1950s.
6/8
Alan Turing was also a gay man. Homosexuality was illegal in England. He was forced to agree to chemical castration in the early 1950s.
6/8
He then killed himself.
.
I take many lessons from this.
Individuals can change the world.
They often work out of the light.
Most people might never know their names.
Most people might never know what they did.
Certainly not while they're doing it.
7/8
.
I take many lessons from this.
Individuals can change the world.
They often work out of the light.
Most people might never know their names.
Most people might never know what they did.
Certainly not while they're doing it.
7/8
And they might be hated.
By the very people they save.
.
There's a lot more to Alan Turing's story. He's been a hero of mine since the 1970s when I first learned about him. Watch the movie "The Imitation Game."
And don't imagine YOU don't matter.
8/8
By the very people they save.
.
There's a lot more to Alan Turing's story. He's been a hero of mine since the 1970s when I first learned about him. Watch the movie "The Imitation Game."
And don't imagine YOU don't matter.
8/8
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