BBC Sherlock Fan Forum - Serving Sherlockians since February 2012 / The Imitation Game

**Posted by MartaSt** June 23, 2014 5:33 pm

I didn't know him either. In my country I was tought that mainly Poles were the ones who have deciphered the Enigma. But I think it's good that because you like an actor and you are interested in his roles it makes you learning new things and developing your knowledge. I think it's very positive aspect of being a fan

**Posted by Harriet** June 23, 2014 5:33 pm

I did.

**Posted by Marta** June 23, 2014 6:37 pm

I knew he was a mathematician and one of first computer scientists. I learned about Turing machine and Turing test. But I knew nothing about his personal life, except the fact that he died when he was middle-aged. I haven't read his biography yet, they didn't have it in the library. But I'll get it

Marta, works of Polich mathematicians (Różewski, Zygalski, Rejewski) were crucial in breaking the code of Enigma. After this, cryptologists worked on deciphering the messages for years, improving methods to shorten the time of decoding (very important during the war) and finding new ones because the machine had been modified. Alan Turing was one of them.

**Posted by MartaSt** June 23, 2014 6:45 pm

Hey, Marta, if I remember correctly, you said that you are mathematician right? Have you learnt about Turing and Turing's test during your study or was it just your personal interest? I mean I've read somewhere that on the math studies Turing machine is in studies program and I wonder if it's true.

Last edited by MartaSt (June 23, 2014 6:50 pm)

**Posted by SolarSystem** June 23, 2014 7:38 pm

I know that I know nothing, and I love the fact that I can broaden my horizon by being a fan of a British actor I didn't even know existed 18 months ago. Sometimes you find knowledge in the most weird places.

**Posted by MartaSt** June 23, 2014 7:39 pm

SolarSystem wrote:
I know that I know nothing, and I love the fact that I can broaden my horizon by being a fan of a British actor I didn't even know existed 18 months ago. Sometimes you find knowledge in the most weird places.

And that's the beauty of it

**Posted by Marta** June 23, 2014 8:03 pm

I'm graduating. Just one exam in a couple of days and you can call me a mathematician
I have learned about computer science and algorithms so yes, about a Turing machine, too. It's a theoretical model and my course's purpose was to give us an idea what computer scientists' job was.
Turing test was only mentioned as the AI is still more science-fiction than reality. I've read a lot about it when Cleverbot was created and it was said that it almost passed the Turing test.

Oh yes, Solar. I read a lot about WikiLeaks after The Fifth Estate. Before I watched it, I knew something from the news but wasn't really interested in the topic. Broaden horizons with Benedict Cumberbatch.

**Posted by SusiGo** June 23, 2014 8:06 pm

Wow, Marta, keeping fingers crossed for your last exam.

And it is truly amazing how many books I have read just because of this man.
P.S. Just counted 13, ACD excluded, but I think I forgot some.

Last edited by SusiGo (June 23, 2014 8:09 pm)

**Posted by MartaSt** June 23, 2014 8:09 pm

SusiGo wrote:
And it is truly amazing how many books I have read just because of this man.

Me too. And how much I've improved my English skills - also counts

**Posted by gently69** June 23, 2014 8:18 pm

SolarSystem wrote:
I know that I know nothing, and I love the fact that I can broaden my horizon by being a fan of a British actor I didn't even know existed 18 months ago. Sometimes you find knowledge in the most weird places.

That's exactly what I can say. Apart from the fact that Benedict came into my life, I mean that I became really aware of him, just 9 months ago.
Brilliant that it was him and not an actor who just does boring mainstream stuff.

**Posted by SusiGo** June 23, 2014 8:20 pm

I just ordered the August issue of Empire:

http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=41360

**Posted by Davina** June 26, 2014 5:57 pm

I think you can be justifiably called a mathematician without an exam.

**Posted by SusiGo** June 27, 2014 7:09 am

From the August issue of Empire:

http://wonderlandinmymind.tumblr.com/post/90033809548/a-bootable-mind-benedict-cumberbatch-is-tortured

**Posted by SusiGo** July 1, 2014 5:43 pm

This seems to be quite lovely - a book-length comic about Alan Turing. Not very practical to read on screen but the first 20 pages were really good:

http://www.tor.com/stories/2014/06/the-imitation-game-jim-ottaviani-leland-purvis

**Posted by Marta** July 11, 2014 3:57 pm

Andrew Hodges' book about Alan Turing is finally in my hands I've already read about a half of it and expect to finish it in few days - it's so interesting! I finally fully understand how Enigma worked and how the mathematicians were able to break the cyphers. The author explains everything in such a good way. And Alan Turing is a unique person, I can't wait to see Benedict playing him!

EDIT
Finished. I'm so happy Benedict is in that film because otherwise I might have never read it. I don't read many biographies but this one was definately worth reading and it has nothing to do with Benedict.

Last edited by Marta (July 16, 2014 6:22 pm)

**Posted by Le Bear Polar** July 21, 2014 6:40 am

So the official TIG Twitter is teasing at a trailer release if it gets enough RT!!!

**Posted by SusiGo** July 21, 2014 6:58 am

Done.

**Posted by Tinks** July 21, 2014 10:45 am

Darn it! I've deregistered from Twitter!
I'm debating whether to rejoin now so I can RT!

**Posted by tonnaree** July 21, 2014 11:55 am

TRAILER!
TRAILER!
TRAILER!

**Posted by tonnaree** July 21, 2014 11:56 am

I actually read this as they are ready to release a trailer they just want to get us worked up even more.