Link for the show-notes:
http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/31659
Alan Turing is the man most-credited with the invention of the modern computer. The mathematical theorems he developed underpin almost every electronic device, help us understand the limits of what is computable and even provide insights into the nature of intelligence.
During the 2nd world war he helped design machines which cracked German secret codes at Bletchley Park, arguably shortening the war by years - saving millions of lives. I cannot think of another single individual who’s contribution made this much difference.
And yet despite his achievements he’s largely unknown to the English speaking world - except of course amongst computer scientists where his work forms a big chunk of every student’s first year of studies.
It’s obvious why Turing is not as well known as other scientists with comparable achievements: He was an out gay man in an era when to be gay was an imprisonable offence.
In 1952 Turing was convicted of “gross indecency” and punished with a bizarre form of chemical castration. He was to be given regular injections of oestrogen, the female hormone. This bizarre treatment was intended to decrease libido, however it drove him to profound depression and ultimately led to his own suicide.
In february of this year the government refused a petition to grant Turing a posthumous pardon was denied on the basis that Turing’s actions were indeed a crime at the time. Lord Sharkey advised that we should not try to put right what cannot be put right, however we should strive never again return to these cruel policies. He may have a valid legal point, but it does leave us unsatisfied.
And that brings me on to a proposal by Thomas Thurman.
