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Donald Knuth’s 80th birthday will be celebrated by two events in Piteå, Sweden (knuth80.elfbrink.se)
132 points by merrua 3130 days ago
6 comments

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.
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.
Surreal Numbers
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.
Three more years until 83, unless I’m misunderstanding.
"power", 81 = 3^4
Thank you.
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.
I'm really glad you're able to go and I hope that somebody who attends will write up a report that the rest of us can read!
Sure will!
On the other hand, he'll only be 0x50 in hex years!
Why Piteå, of all places?
Maybe because of the awesome organ they have there ?