Ananyo Bhattacharya Interviewed by Tim Harford

Science writer and journalist Dr Ananyo Bhattacharya looks at the life of John von Neumann, one of the most influential scientists who ever lived and one of the greatest thinkers of the 21st century.

Neumann was instrumental in the Manhatten Project – research that produced the first nuclear weapons – created the first programmable computer, prophesised nanotechnology, and had a hand in creation of artificial life. His colleagues said he had the fastest brain on the planet. Bhattacharya explains how a combination of genius and historical circumstance allowed one man to spark revolutions in so many different fields of science.

Bhattacharya has worked at the Economist and Nature. Before turning to science writing he was a medical researcher at the Burnham Institute in San Diego, California. Here he talks to economist,  FT columnist, and broadcaster Tim Harford.