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by elliott99 4928 days ago
what is confusing? This quote is awesome.
2 comments

Well, it may be confusing to some that one of the most, if not the most, prolific mathematicians of modern times accepted, and even embraced, what would be in modern times, the use of a substance that would make said prolific mathematician a felon (at least in the US).

Also, Wikipedia, while generally good, is likely not good to use a definitive source.

Wow, a felon?

Millions of americans take amphetamines or similar substances every day legally, by the name of Ritalin, Adderall and others.

Nature published an informal survey several years ago on amphetamine use among its readership. Perhaps you'll find it interesting:

http://www.nature.com/news/2008/080409/full/452674a.html

This is well accepted. Also,Erdos was and is far from alone in this.
Its not clear how your awesome quote relates to the article.
It explains how even the academics seen as superhuman still couldn't do what the scientific community expects of the average grad student today, without having to use some extreme measure.
Protip frozenport: Don't take HN too seriously.