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Next week marks the centenary of Alan Turing’s birth.
He was a completely original free-thinker; and it was his blend of eccentric quirkiness and freedom, as well as his mathematical skill, which should be held up now.
A major new exhibition concerning his life’s work is to open at London’s Science Museum on Thursday. But to state simply that Turing was the man who brought the computer age into being, or even that he was the man whose codebreaking feats at Bletchley Park helped shorten the Second World War by two years, is just too restricted.
In 1952, he was convicted of “gross indecency”, in effect, tried for being gay. His sentence… and he was faced with the miserable choice of this or prison, was chemical castration by a series of injections of female hormones. He took his own life just two years later.
I just got a book out from the library to bring with on my annual trip to Florida about Alan Turing and Godel, “A Madman Dreams of Turing Machines”. It is light reading because I am going to be on vacation. Anyway, my heart hurts when I think of all Turing endured. He was an incredble man. .
Burt: Turing is one of the characters in Neal Stephenson’s novel Cryptonomicon. A very good, if long read.kjm,
I will try to get in from the library before I leave. The one I chose looks like it might be a bit flightly. Please: no insults, like “seems appropriate”
In 1952, he was convicted of “gross indecency”, in effect, tried for being gay. His sentence… and he was faced with the miserable choice of this or prison, was chemical castration by a series of injections of female hormones. He took his own life just two years later.
It’s amazing to me what people were willing to justify “being done” to others in a civilized nation merely sixty years ago. What makes this sentence even more unbelievable is that it was done to a WW2 hero just 7 years after the end of that horrific human tragedy. And one more thing that should be said in a “salute” to human depravity, one of the main policies of the Nazi regime was to rid the world of homosexuals by killing them, yet after defeating those immoral forces, the British basically continued the inhumane practices that they faught so valiantly to defeat. So much for “they faught for our freedom and for human dignity” because those are human ideals that we are still in the process of fighting for.
In 1952, he was convicted of “gross indecency”, in effect, tried for being gay. His sentence… and he was faced with the miserable choice of this or prison, was chemical castration by a series of injections of female hormones. He took his own life just two years later.
It’s amazing to me what people were willing to justify “being done” to others in a civilized nation merely sixty years ago. What makes this sentence even more unbelievable is that it was done to a WW2 hero just 7 years after the end of that horrific human tragedy. And one more thing that should be said in a “salute” to human depravity, one of the main policies of the Nazi regime was to rid the world of homosexuals by killing them, yet after defeating those immoral forces, the British basically continued the inhumane practices that they faught so valiantly to defeat. So much for “they faught for our freedom and for human dignity” because those are human ideals that we are still in the process of fighting for.
It is amazing what people were prepared to do to someone, not so long ago, the effects of chemical castration didn’t just reduce sex drive, Turing experience other “feminizing” effects which were an added insult.
Yes, this sentence was as an alternative to prison. One can imagine what would have happened to him in there. But he had to choose. So he was forced to grow tits and watch his balls shrink. No wonder the poor guy chose death. In 2009 the British government formally apologiosed for the way he was treated. Only took 60 years which I suppose is better than the centuries it took for the church to acknowledge that Gallileo had been trseated badly. In many countries in the world today one can still be imprisoned or executed for being gay. Anyone whostill peddles the lie that people choose to be gay should reflect on that.
Rob: Anyone whostill peddles the lie that people choose to be gay should reflect on that.
I tried very hard to be gay, but it didn’t work. I imagined sipping tea and having long conversations into the night about our feelings. We’d cook together and laugh merrily as we chopped the onions in unison. We’d hold hands and watch sunsets and we’d collect lots of cats. .
But, sigh, ....I couldn’t overcome the “ugh” factor You, of all people, should know what I mean. The nether region of women IS ugly, is it not?
My best friend who is gay claims it’s “sweet” and is charmed by its neat folds that open up like the petals of a flower.
I wonder if this is what Gertrude Stein meant when she wrote “A rose is a rose.”?
I recently read what Gertrude said about Alice…”“How prettily we swim together.Not in water. Not on land. But in love.”
Now, in our life together, my husband and I have nearly drowned each other more than once.
Yes, I know what you mean Sara. When I have lesbian friends over I try not to think about what they do in bed. And if it comes up over dessert I go to the kitchen and start doing the dishes.
The great thing, though, is that their sexuality and what they do in bed is the least important thing about them and does not interfere with our friendship.
Rob: Yes, I know what you mean Sara. When I have lesbian friends over I try not to think about what they do in bed. And if it comes up over dessert I go to the kitchen and start doing the dishes.
The great thing, though, is that their sexuality and what they do in bed is the least important thing about them and does not interfere with our friendship.
Unlike you, I enjoy thinking about everyone I know in bed. I don’t ponder in great detail…just a quick visual image drifts through my mind. It’s a little creepy when I imagine my sisters and their husbands, but I have visualized it. Most of these fantasies are not erotic at all. As a matter of fact, they are rather humorous. Sex is hilarious when you get right down to it, isn’t it? It is impossible to remain dignified when you are having sex, with all that groaning and grunting and grimacing. No wonder a lot of people close their eyes.
Rob: Yes, I know what you mean Sara. When I have lesbian friends over I try not to think about what they do in bed. And if it comes up over dessert I go to the kitchen and start doing the dishes.
The great thing, though, is that their sexuality and what they do in bed is the least important thing about them and does not interfere with our friendship.
Unlike you, I enjoy thinking about everyone I know in bed. I don’t ponder in great detail…just a quick visual image drifts through my mind. It’s a little creepy when I imagine my sisters and their husbands, but I have visualized it. Most of these fantasies are not erotic at all. As a matter of fact, they are rather humorous. Sex is hilarious when you get right down to it, isn’t it? It is impossible to remain dignified when you are having sex, with all that groaning and grunting and grimacing. No wonder a lot of people close their eyes.
I don’t imagine that most lesbians (or gay men) have perfect relationships, nor that heterosexuality is necessarily humiliating. Depends on the particulars of the couple.
Do you think that is unusual? I thought it was a universal thing….not sex, but imagining how everyone you know looks like when they are having sex. Actually, I imagine strangers, too. And famous people. Obama & Michelle, Hillary & Bill, Ozzie and Sharon. Even Ozzie and Harriet. In fact, I even imagine what I look like having sex, but not during it because then it would wreck my concentration. I’ve never understood why some people are attracted to watching themselves having sex in mirrors. I would not only get distracted, but I’d start fretting about my appearance. I would have to hold my stomach in and toss my hair fetchingly and point my toes to show off my shapely legs.
I tell ya, it’s best to close your eyes. My mom used to tell me to close my eyes and think of England, but I don’t find that necessary. Different generations I guess.
