On his deathbed, surrounded by government agents, prodigy John von Neumann (190+ IQ) made one final confession...
His worst fear wasn't WWIII, nuclear wars, nor zombie apocalypses...
It's something 4 in 10 Americans can't suffer from today.
His last words left me thinking🧵
His worst fear wasn't WWIII, nuclear wars, nor zombie apocalypses...
It's something 4 in 10 Americans can't suffer from today.
His last words left me thinking🧵
John von Neumann was a true genius.
• Could divide 8-digit numbers in seconds
• Spoke 6 languages by age 6
• Remembered every word he ever read
But his final words would shock everyone.
And still haunt us today...
• Could divide 8-digit numbers in seconds
• Spoke 6 languages by age 6
• Remembered every word he ever read
But his final words would shock everyone.
And still haunt us today...
Born in 1903 in Budapest, Hungary.
Little Johnny was different from birth.
By age 8, he mastered calculus.
At 19, he published two major papers.
His IQ? Estimated above 190.
Einstein called him "the greatest mind alive."
Little Johnny was different from birth.
By age 8, he mastered calculus.
At 19, he published two major papers.
His IQ? Estimated above 190.
Einstein called him "the greatest mind alive."
Von Neumann's brain worked differently than yours:
• Could read a book in minutes
• Never forgot a single detail
• Solved problems while sleeping
His colleagues were often stunned. "Like talking to a different species."
But this brilliance had a dark side...
• Could read a book in minutes
• Never forgot a single detail
• Solved problems while sleeping
His colleagues were often stunned. "Like talking to a different species."
But this brilliance had a dark side...
In the 1940s, the U.S. recruited him.
His job: make atomic bombs work.
Von Neumann joined the Manhattan Project.
He solved the implosion mathematics.
Without him, nukes might have failed.
His calculations made Hiroshima possible.
His job: make atomic bombs work.
Von Neumann joined the Manhattan Project.
He solved the implosion mathematics.
Without him, nukes might have failed.
His calculations made Hiroshima possible.
After the war, von Neumann didn't stop:
• Created game theory from scratch.
• Designed self-replicating machines.
• Pioneered artificial intelligence concepts.
The man was unstoppable.
Until cancer found him in 1956...
• Created game theory from scratch.
• Designed self-replicating machines.
• Pioneered artificial intelligence concepts.
The man was unstoppable.
Until cancer found him in 1956...
At Walter Reed Hospital, Bone cancer spread through his body.
• The pain was beyond description.
• Yet his mind remained crystal clear.
Government agents guarded his room 24/7.
Why such security for a dying man?
• The pain was beyond description.
• Yet his mind remained crystal clear.
Government agents guarded his room 24/7.
Why such security for a dying man?
Von Neumann knew too many secrets:
• Nuclear weapon designs
• Early CIA computer systems
• Top-secret military strategies
Officials feared what he might reveal. In pain, under medication.
But what terrified them most?
His final prediction...
• Nuclear weapon designs
• Early CIA computer systems
• Top-secret military strategies
Officials feared what he might reveal. In pain, under medication.
But what terrified them most?
His final prediction...
As death approached, von Neumann became anxious.
Not about dying – One night, he called for his friend Edward Teller.
"I've made a terrible discovery," he said.
Teller leaned in to hear.
Not about dying – One night, he called for his friend Edward Teller.
"I've made a terrible discovery," he said.
Teller leaned in to hear.
"The technological singularity is inevitable."
That's what von Neumann told them.
• Computers would soon become self-aware.
• They would improve themselves exponentially.
Beyond human control or understanding.
"And it's already too late to stop."
• Computers would soon become self-aware.
• They would improve themselves exponentially.
Beyond human control or understanding.
"And it's already too late to stop."
Von Neumann explained his calculation:
• Humans think only linearly
• Technology grows at exponential rates
• Self-improving systems accelerate this
He saw the intersection point clearly. A moment when everything would change.
Coming sooner than anyone realized.
• Humans think only linearly
• Technology grows at exponential rates
• Self-improving systems accelerate this
He saw the intersection point clearly. A moment when everything would change.
Coming sooner than anyone realized.
Von Neumann's deathbed math showed:
• When machines can improve themselves.
• Each improvement happens faster.
• Intelligence explodes beyond our grasp.
• Like a nuclear chain reaction.
But for knowledge instead of atoms.
• When machines can improve themselves.
• Each improvement happens faster.
• Intelligence explodes beyond our grasp.
• Like a nuclear chain reaction.
But for knowledge instead of atoms.
Edward Teller later recalled: "Von Neumann spoke with complete certainty.
'The approaching singularity will change everything. We won't understand the new world. It terrifies me more than bombs.
Because we can't go back.'"
'The approaching singularity will change everything. We won't understand the new world. It terrifies me more than bombs.
Because we can't go back.'"
The cancer took von Neumann in 1957.
His final prediction was classified. Too disturbing for cold war America.
But before dying, he made a timeline.
When did he think it would happen? "Before the end of the century."
His final prediction was classified. Too disturbing for cold war America.
But before dying, he made a timeline.
When did he think it would happen? "Before the end of the century."
As a 20 y.o kid walking into this rapidly changing world...
• AI writes your emails
• Plans your vacations
• Creates your art
• Drives your cars
Von Neumann saw a world where humans become dependent first.
Then obsolete.
Where are we now?
• AI writes your emails
• Plans your vacations
• Creates your art
• Drives your cars
Von Neumann saw a world where humans become dependent first.
Then obsolete.
Where are we now?
If this story grabbed you, join my mission:
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Follow @ToanTruongGTX for the genius moments history class never taught you.
And of course this thread was written by AI. 😉
Muhaha
Welcome to 2025.
Toan Truong.
Muhaha
Welcome to 2025.
Toan Truong.
That's a wrap!
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