The Daily OrangeWorlds smartest man dreams of teaching at SU
By Naresh Vissa
Posted: 10/6/09, 9:33 PM EST Section: Opinion
You've probably never heard of Chris Langan. Despite working as a bouncer on Long Island for more than 20 years, I would consider him the world's smartest man. He spends his free time writing "Theory of Everything." He works to prove the existence of God, the soul and afterlife through mathematical algorithms.
His life was filled with poverty and sheer bad luck. No matter how brilliant he may be, Langan is the antithesis of the rags-to-riches "American Dream."
"I'm a product of my lower-class upbringing," Langan said. "I got disgusted with immoral materialism and tendencies to let self interest run away with truth and injustice."
Nevertheless, the man is beyond genius. His research and theories are logically idealistic, but nobody will publish them because he has no record of accomplishment or professional affiliation.
Langan wants to work at Syracuse University and now the university should take this opportunity to work with him to bring his studies and ideals to benefit the students.
"I would love a position incorporating philosophy and math at Syracuse University," Langan said. "I would accept if I could teach exactly what I want, and if it didn't involve me living in Syracuse the entire year. I'd love to explain my work to the administration."
Langan's story is chronicled in Malcolm Gladwell's best-selling work "OUTLIERS." In the book, Gladwell stresses that opportunities, and hours of practice help people excel in their chosen craft.
Gladwell compares Langan with J. Robert Oppenheimer, the mind behind the Manhattan Project, which developed atomic bombs during World War II.
Langan was not privileged enough to receive a proper education yet he still aced all his tests, proving the definition of success extends beyond the transcripts.
By attending SU, you are given an opportunity that Langan didn't have. You are part of a community that will train you for a future. Take advantage of your time here. Find your passions, and pursue them.
Naresh Vissa, a junior accounting, broadcast journalism and finance major. His column appears weekly, and he can be reached at nvrammoh@syr.edu.
His life was filled with poverty and sheer bad luck. No matter how brilliant he may be, Langan is the antithesis of the rags-to-riches "American Dream."
"I'm a product of my lower-class upbringing," Langan said. "I got disgusted with immoral materialism and tendencies to let self interest run away with truth and injustice."
Nevertheless, the man is beyond genius. His research and theories are logically idealistic, but nobody will publish them because he has no record of accomplishment or professional affiliation.
Langan wants to work at Syracuse University and now the university should take this opportunity to work with him to bring his studies and ideals to benefit the students.
"I would love a position incorporating philosophy and math at Syracuse University," Langan said. "I would accept if I could teach exactly what I want, and if it didn't involve me living in Syracuse the entire year. I'd love to explain my work to the administration."
Langan's story is chronicled in Malcolm Gladwell's best-selling work "OUTLIERS." In the book, Gladwell stresses that opportunities, and hours of practice help people excel in their chosen craft.
Gladwell compares Langan with J. Robert Oppenheimer, the mind behind the Manhattan Project, which developed atomic bombs during World War II.
Langan was not privileged enough to receive a proper education yet he still aced all his tests, proving the definition of success extends beyond the transcripts.
By attending SU, you are given an opportunity that Langan didn't have. You are part of a community that will train you for a future. Take advantage of your time here. Find your passions, and pursue them.
Naresh Vissa, a junior accounting, broadcast journalism and finance major. His column appears weekly, and he can be reached at nvrammoh@syr.edu.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
Michael
posted 10/07/09 @ 3:24 PM EST
This article was a little vague in describing exactly what makes Chris Langan special.
He has a measured IQ of between 195 and 210, arguably higher than anyone else in the world (extremely high IQ testing is not as reliable as mid-range testing). (Continued…)
xnareshx
Naresh
posted 10/07/09 @ 5:16 PM EST
Michael,
I'm asking my editors to put my full column up. I explain in detail who Langan is and contrast him with Bill Gates.
~ Naresh
Anon
posted 10/08/09 @ 1:57 AM EST
Langan might bless us with his presence, but only if he works on his own terms and doesn't have to live near Syracuse? Spare me.
The man is undoubtedly intelligent, but he's also walking proof that IQ doesn't mean much. (Continued…)
Chris Langan
posted 10/08/09 @ 3:45 PM EST
First, I'd like to thank Naresh Vissa, the self-motivated author of this article, for his timely heads-up on the article and the comments that it generated. (Continued…)
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