We’re “turing” up the geek on this episode folks. Diving into the amazing and yet saddening story of gay genius Alan Turing. From his invaluable contributions during World War 2 to his lasting legacy in the fields of A.I. and Computers, this is a hero we must celebrate. So join your favorite queers as we honor the sacrifices of one of our greatest inspirations. And as you listen on your phone or tablet or computer, remember you have these technologies because of the gays. You’re Welcome. We’re heading over to the land of England today listeners. Specifically to the district of Maida Vale, in the city of Westminster, in the northern part of Paddington, of West London. Here on June 23, 1912 Alan Turing was born to a family of modest means and civil service. Alan had one older brother, John. And the two would spend much of their childhood away from their parents. Julius Turing was stationed in India as a government employee of Great Britain. However, wanting their sons to grow up in London, Julius and Ethel left their boys with a retired military couple. As a young child it became quickly apparent that Alan was a genius. While his teachers noted his brilliance, it seems he advanced through school at a normal pace before heading off to Sherborne School. Sherborne was founded in 705 C.E/A.D. and has remained in the same location for over 1300 years. It is even said that Alfred the Great was once a student at Sherborne. It is listed in the top 1% of all schools in England. So needless to say, Alan received a top notch education at Sherborne. However, it does seem that his teachers fully grasped Turing’s potential. An old institute, Sherborne valued classical education and Alan seemed preoccupied with science and perceived fantasy. By age 16 Alan was reading and understanding Einstein’s work. Yet his teachers dismissed this “Science Specialist” as wasting his education. Because Sherborne was and is an all boys boarding school, Alan received an education in a few areas. In 1928, at 16, Alan met another science nut and fellow genius Christopher Morcom. The two both bonded over their love for math and science, and no doubt the feelings of being outsiders in a school which valued classical training above modern conceptions. Alan once wrote to his mother about Christopher; I am sure I could not have found anywhere another companion so brilliant and yet so charming and unconceited. I regarded my interest in my work, and in such things as astronomy (to which he introduced me) as something to be shared with him and I think he felt a little the same about me … It is obvious that Alan was in love with Christopher, but we do not know how deep their relationship actually went. The two began studying for college and Chris won a scholarship for Trinity College at the beginning of 1930. Alan was denied the scholarship and was heartbroken to be separated from his friend. Unfortunately, he would be further heartbroken when Chris suddenly died on February 13, 1930. The death of his friend would plague Alan for years and really all of his life. Prompting him to question matter and life after death. And eventually inspiring his 1932 essay on The Nature of the Spirit. Which used quantum physics to explain what happens to our consciousness after death. In practical terms, Alan was an atheist seeking spiritual meaning for his friends death. He would write to his mother about Christopher’s passing: “I feel that I shall meet Morcom again somewhere and that there will be some work for us to do together as there was for us to do here… It never seems to have occurred to me to make other friends besides Morcom, he made everyone else seem so ordinary.” Another result of Christopher’s death was a renewed motivation by Alan Turing to excel in his studies,