Alan Turing - an overdue apology?

[kinboshi]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8226509.stm

One of the finest minds this country has ever produced, considered to be the father of computer science by many, and a key figure in the breaking of the Enigma code during WWII - and yet many in the UK have never heard of him.

What many don't know as well is that Turing was gay, and this was considered a crime in the UK at the time, and in 1952 he was prosecuted and chemically castrated for having sexual relationships with a man. Of course, his sexuality also meant that he could no longer work for GCHQ.  Such enlightened and happy times they were for all.

There's now a campaign to have the government formally apologise and pardon Turing for his 'crimes'.  You can sign the petition here: http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/turing/

I had posted something about this on tikay's thread, but it got lost amongst other posts and I thought it deserved a thread all to itself.

Thousands of people have signed a Downing Street petition calling for a posthumous government apology to World War II code breaker Alan Turing.
Writer Ian McEwan has just backed the campaign, which already has the support of scientist Richard Dawkins.

In 1952 Turing was prosecuted for gross indecency after admitting a sexual relationship with a man. Two years later he killed himself.

The petition was the idea of computer scientist John Graham-Cumming.  He is seeking an apology for the way the mathematician was treated after his conviction. He has also written to the Queen to ask for Turing to be awarded a posthumous knighthood.

Alan Turing was given experimental chemical castration as a "treatment" and his security privileges were removed, meaning he could not continue work for the UK Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ).  "This added insult and humiliation ultimately drove him to suicide," said gay-rights campaigner Peter Tatchell, who also backs the campaign. "With Turing's death, Britain and the world lost one of its finest intellectual minds. A government apology and posthumous pardon are long overdue."

[kinboshi]

More info on Turing here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Turing

[G1BTW]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8226509.stm

One of the finest minds this country has ever produced, considered to be the father of computer science by many, and a key figure in the breaking of the Enigma code during WWII - and yet many in the UK have never heard of him.

What many don't know as well is that Turing was gay, and this was considered a crime in the UK at the time, and in 1952 he was prosecuted and chemically castrated for having sexual relationships with a man. Of course, his sexuality also meant that he could no longer work for GCHQ.  Such enlightened and happy times they were for all.

There's now a campaign to have the government formally apologise and pardon Turing for his 'crimes'.  You can sign the petition here: http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/turing/

I had posted something about this on tikay's thread, but it got lost amongst other posts and I thought it deserved a thread all to itself.

post written by a computer imo

[GreekStein]

What many don't know as well is that I, Daniel 'Kinboshi' Phillips am gay

Cliffs notes ^^

[kinboshi]

Thanks for the input Cos .

You were one of those who hadn't heard of Alan Turing.

[GreekStein]

Thanks for the input Cos .

You were one of those who hadn't heard of Alan Turing.

Yup. I agree that it was a disgrace what happened to him but what's to do about it now?

[kinboshi]

Thanks for the input Cos .

You were one of those who hadn't heard of Alan Turing.

Yup. I agree that it was a disgrace what happened to him but what's to do about it now?

Posthumous apology and knighthood =  greater recognition for his achievements, greater awareness that certain groups were (and still are) discriminated against, someone for the country to be proud of, an inspiration to others, etc.  Probably loads more reasons as well?

[GreekStein]

Thanks for the input Cos .

You were one of those who hadn't heard of Alan Turing.

Yup. I agree that it was a disgrace what happened to him but what's to do about it now?

Posthumous apology and knighthood =  greater recognition for his achievements, greater awareness that certain groups were (and still are) discriminated against, someone for the country to be proud of, an inspiration to others, etc.  Probably loads more reasons as well?

Have to agree with those.

Don't wanna get into the whole minorities thing as I think a lot are treated too well but yeah I'd have to echo what you said. Surprised it never got mentioned on Mr Massala's diary.

[tikay]

Thanks for the input Cos .

You were one of those who hadn't heard of Alan Turing.

Yup. I agree that it was a disgrace what happened to him but what's to do about it now?

Posthumous apology and knighthood =  greater recognition for his achievements, greater awareness that certain groups were (and still are) discriminated against, someone for the country to be proud of, an inspiration to others, etc.  Probably loads more reasons as well?

Have to agree with those.

Don't wanna get into the whole minorities thing as I think a lot are treated too well but yeah I'd have to echo what you said. Surprised it never got mentioned on Mr Massala's diary.

It will be.

Just a bit distracted with incoming flak right now. Chaff about to be deployed. Over.

[RED-DOG]

Thanks for the input Cos .

You were one of those who hadn't heard of Alan Turing.

Yup. I agree that it was a disgrace what happened to him but what's to do about it now?

Posthumous apology and knighthood =  greater recognition for his achievements, greater awareness that certain groups were (and still are) discriminated against, someone for the country to be proud of, an inspiration to others, etc.  Probably loads more reasons as well?

Have to agree with those.

Don't wanna get into the whole minorities thing as I think a lot are treated too well but yeah I'd have to echo what you said. Surprised it never got mentioned on Mr Massala's diary.

Since you don't want to get in to it, I won't ask. 

[GreekStein]

Thanks for the input Cos .

You were one of those who hadn't heard of Alan Turing.

Yup. I agree that it was a disgrace what happened to him but what's to do about it now?

Posthumous apology and knighthood =  greater recognition for his achievements, greater awareness that certain groups were (and still are) discriminated against, someone for the country to be proud of, an inspiration to others, etc.  Probably loads more reasons as well?

Have to agree with those.

Don't wanna get into the whole minorities thing as I think a lot are treated too well but yeah I'd have to echo what you said. Surprised it never got mentioned on Mr Massala's diary.

It will be.

Just a bit distracted with incoming flak right now. Chaff about to be deployed. Over.

Did you get my text?

Thanks for the input Cos .

You were one of those who hadn't heard of Alan Turing.

Yup. I agree that it was a disgrace what happened to him but what's to do about it now?

Posthumous apology and knighthood =  greater recognition for his achievements, greater awareness that certain groups were (and still are) discriminated against, someone for the country to be proud of, an inspiration to others, etc.  Probably loads more reasons as well?

Have to agree with those.

Don't wanna get into the whole minorities thing as I think a lot are treated too well but yeah I'd have to echo what you said. Surprised it never got mentioned on Mr Massala's diary.

Since you don't want to get in to it, I won't ask. 

Some are treated too well, some aren't treated well enough - nothing too controversial from me! Just didn't wanna derail the thread too much.

[tikay]

Thanks for the input Cos .

You were one of those who hadn't heard of Alan Turing.

Yup. I agree that it was a disgrace what happened to him but what's to do about it now?

Posthumous apology and knighthood =  greater recognition for his achievements, greater awareness that certain groups were (and still are) discriminated against, someone for the country to be proud of, an inspiration to others, etc.  Probably loads more reasons as well?

Have to agree with those.

Don't wanna get into the whole minorities thing as I think a lot are treated too well but yeah I'd have to echo what you said. Surprised it never got mentioned on Mr Massala's diary.

It will be.

Just a bit distracted with incoming flak right now. Chaff about to be deployed. Over.

Did you get my text?

Thanks for the input Cos .

You were one of those who hadn't heard of Alan Turing.

Yup. I agree that it was a disgrace what happened to him but what's to do about it now?

Posthumous apology and knighthood =  greater recognition for his achievements, greater awareness that certain groups were (and still are) discriminated against, someone for the country to be proud of, an inspiration to others, etc.  Probably loads more reasons as well?

Have to agree with those.

Don't wanna get into the whole minorities thing as I think a lot are treated too well but yeah I'd have to echo what you said. Surprised it never got mentioned on Mr Massala's diary.

Since you don't want to get in to it, I won't ask. 

Some are treated too well, some aren't treated well enough - nothing too controversial from me! Just didn't wanna derail the thread too much.

No.

[kinboshi]

Thanks for the input Cos .

You were one of those who hadn't heard of Alan Turing.

Yup. I agree that it was a disgrace what happened to him but what's to do about it now?

Posthumous apology and knighthood =  greater recognition for his achievements, greater awareness that certain groups were (and still are) discriminated against, someone for the country to be proud of, an inspiration to others, etc.  Probably loads more reasons as well?

Have to agree with those.

Don't wanna get into the whole minorities thing as I think a lot are treated too well but yeah I'd have to echo what you said. Surprised it never got mentioned on Mr Massala's diary.

It will be.

Just a bit distracted with incoming flak right now. Chaff about to be deployed. Over.

Did you get my text?

Thanks for the input Cos .

You were one of those who hadn't heard of Alan Turing.

Yup. I agree that it was a disgrace what happened to him but what's to do about it now?

Posthumous apology and knighthood =  greater recognition for his achievements, greater awareness that certain groups were (and still are) discriminated against, someone for the country to be proud of, an inspiration to others, etc.  Probably loads more reasons as well?

Have to agree with those.

Don't wanna get into the whole minorities thing as I think a lot are treated too well but yeah I'd have to echo what you said. Surprised it never got mentioned on Mr Massala's diary.

Since you don't want to get in to it, I won't ask. 

Some are treated too well, some aren't treated well enough - nothing too controversial from me! Just didn't wanna derail the thread too much.

Since you've mentioned it - and it's my thread... who are the minorities who get treated 'too well'?

[RED-DOG]

Thanks for the input Cos .

You were one of those who hadn't heard of Alan Turing.

Yup. I agree that it was a disgrace what happened to him but what's to do about it now?

Posthumous apology and knighthood =  greater recognition for his achievements, greater awareness that certain groups were (and still are) discriminated against, someone for the country to be proud of, an inspiration to others, etc.  Probably loads more reasons as well?

Have to agree with those.

Don't wanna get into the whole minorities thing as I think a lot are treated too well but yeah I'd have to echo what you said. Surprised it never got mentioned on Mr Massala's diary.

It will be.

Just a bit distracted with incoming flak right now. Chaff about to be deployed. Over.

Did you get my text?

Thanks for the input Cos .

You were one of those who hadn't heard of Alan Turing.

Yup. I agree that it was a disgrace what happened to him but what's to do about it now?

Posthumous apology and knighthood =  greater recognition for his achievements, greater awareness that certain groups were (and still are) discriminated against, someone for the country to be proud of, an inspiration to others, etc.  Probably loads more reasons as well?

Have to agree with those.

Don't wanna get into the whole minorities thing as I think a lot are treated too well but yeah I'd have to echo what you said. Surprised it never got mentioned on Mr Massala's diary.

Since you don't want to get in to it, I won't ask. 

Some are treated too well, some aren't treated well enough - nothing too controversial from me! Just didn't wanna derail the thread too much.

I see. It was just that your original post only mentioned those treated too well.

[GreekStein]

Thanks for the input Cos .

You were one of those who hadn't heard of Alan Turing.

Yup. I agree that it was a disgrace what happened to him but what's to do about it now?

Posthumous apology and knighthood =  greater recognition for his achievements, greater awareness that certain groups were (and still are) discriminated against, someone for the country to be proud of, an inspiration to others, etc.  Probably loads more reasons as well?

Have to agree with those.

Don't wanna get into the whole minorities thing as I think a lot are treated too well but yeah I'd have to echo what you said. Surprised it never got mentioned on Mr Massala's diary.

It will be.

Just a bit distracted with incoming flak right now. Chaff about to be deployed. Over.

Did you get my text?

Thanks for the input Cos .

You were one of those who hadn't heard of Alan Turing.

Yup. I agree that it was a disgrace what happened to him but what's to do about it now?

Posthumous apology and knighthood =  greater recognition for his achievements, greater awareness that certain groups were (and still are) discriminated against, someone for the country to be proud of, an inspiration to others, etc.  Probably loads more reasons as well?

Have to agree with those.

Don't wanna get into the whole minorities thing as I think a lot are treated too well but yeah I'd have to echo what you said. Surprised it never got mentioned on Mr Massala's diary.

Since you don't want to get in to it, I won't ask. 

Some are treated too well, some aren't treated well enough - nothing too controversial from me! Just didn't wanna derail the thread too much.

I see. It was just that your original post only mentioned those treated too well.

[ ] I'm good at saying what I mean.