The British Government's treatment of Turing, along with the general prejudice against gay folx, is one of the most shameful episodes in modern history. Horrible. Just imagine if he'd accepted Von Neumann's offer to come to the US. Might have made a difference.
It’s sad how ridiculous homophobia contributed to the very “security risk” they we’re afraid of. If they didn’t persecute gays, they can’t be blackmailed or influenced by fear of society’s intolerance and hate for them. Imagine imprisoning adults for relationships with other adults, only if they’re the same sex, and not being phased by two adults of the opposite sex doing that same exact thing Glad we’ve moved forward as a society. Though Turing can’t benefit for it, he does inspire many, including gay intellectuals such as myself.
As I suspected his work was overhyped. He was smart and he did some important work, but I would place him as less important than Dirac and von Neumann. He should have taken up that offer from the latter. It's what annoys me about the Brtish establishment. They treat these people like dirt and then when they are dead they are exhibited as heroes. British schools have not changed much since his day too!
