Logic List Mailing Archive

Bill Gates and David Hilbert

Ed Sandifer wrote:
>
> An essay by Bill Gates appeared on the editorial page of the American
> financial newspaper, The Wall Street Journal this past Monday, January
> 27.  In the essay, he explained the decision of his foundation to
> spend money to combat malaria and tuberculosis instead of fighting
> more "interesting" diseases that affect fewer people. The essay began
> with a two-sentence account of David Hilbert's 23 problems and how
> they inspired mathematical and scientific developments through the
> 20th Century.  He followed with an analogy that he hoped that his
> foundation's support would inspire scientific and medical developments
> through the 21st Century. A hundred years ago, a thoughtful essay
> would likely have begin with a reference to classical mythology or a
> quote from Shakespeare or the Bible.  Today, we find the Richest Man
> in the World beginning his essay with a reference to the history of
> mathematics!

Official Announcement by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation:
                                                                                
Inspired by David Hilbert's Grand Challenges in Mathematics, the Bill &
Melinda Gates Foundation is committing $200 million to establish the Grand
Challenges in Global Health initiative-a major new effort and partnership
with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Foundation for the
National Institutes of Health (FNIH). This initiative will identify
critical scientific challenges in global health and increase research on
diseases that cause millions of deaths in the developing world each year.
                               
In 1900, German mathematician David Hilbert articulated a set of critical,
unsolved problems in the field of mathematics. Defining these "Grand
Challenges" energized mathematicians around the world to redouble their
efforts-fostering innovative thinking and opening new directions for
research.  Hilbert's Grand Challenges continue to drive progress toward
major breakthroughs in the field and have even led to unexpected returns
outside the discipline.
                                
More:

http://www.gatesfoundation.org/globalhealth/wef2003/relatedinfo/gcghbackgrounder-020127.htm