A Beautiful Mind:

Nash’s Triumph & Torment

What a blessing to have a beautiful mind, though it is no guarantee for a beautiful life. A beautiful mind may even be troubled, tortured, and tormented.

A Beautiful Mind (2001) is a film based on Sylvia Nasar’s unauthorized but acclaimed biography A Beautiful Mind (1998) which explores John Nash’s life – his talent, torment, and triumph.  

(Russell Crowe as Prof Nash)

A mathematical genius, he is renowned for Nash Equilibrium, a crucial theorem for Game Theory. Nash suffered from debilitating mental illness but overcame it without medication, returned to academics at Princeton, and in 1994 was awarded the Nobel Prize in Economic sciences, jointly with two others. Sadly, he and his wife died in a car accident in 2015.

Nash Equilibrium is briefly mentioned in the film. The hero suggests why he and his friends should NOT choose the most attractive girl in the party for the best outcome – each one enjoying the company of one of the girls accompanying the most desirable one. See endnotes for a basic explainer on Game Theory and Nash Equilibrium.[i]

How did Nash and Alicia react to the book and the film?

Nasar’s book A Beautiful Mind (1998) was an unauthorized biography of mathematician John Nash, offering detailed insights into his life, work, and battle with schizophrenia. Although factually accurate, both John and Alicia Nash found it intrusive and overly personal, particularly because it included sensitive material they had not publicly disclosed.

In contrast, the film adaptation (2001), directed by Ron Howard, took creative liberties—omitting difficult details and romanticizing parts of their relationship. Surprisingly, both Nash and Alicia were more accepting of the film, appreciating its emotional depth and the public awareness it brought to mental illness.

What did Nash & Alicia say on A Beautiful Mind?

On the book:

John Nash - “It’s not my favourite subject, but it’s mostly true.”

Alicia Nash - “It was a violation of our privacy. It told the truth, but not with compassion.”

On the film:

John Nash - “It’s not how it happened. But it’s how it felt.”

Alicia Nash - “They left things out, yes. But they captured his pain—and his genius. That matters more.”

John Nash on Russell Crowe:
“I was surprised. He seemed to understand things about me even I didn't.”

Alicia Nash on public reaction:
“If it helped people understand mental illness and love a little better, then it was worth it.”

Biopics & Biographies

“Nothing human is alien to me.” – Terence

Why do we watch biopics or read biographies and autobiographies?

These narratives offer much more than just a life story: they illuminate human experience, provide inspiration, and offer insight into the times and choices that shaped these individuals who changed the world or simply endured it with courage.

Which biopics to watch? You may pick from the Top 10 Oscar-winning biopics.[ii] 

If you’ve already watched all those films, you may select from among Oscar-nominated but overlooked films[iii].

I also recommend The Man Who Knew Infinity - a 2015 film on Srinivas Ramanujan, the Indian mathematical prodigy.

Which books to read?[iv]

No one has time to read about the lives of all such extraordinary men and women who have ever lived. Since Homo sapiens first appeared on earth about 300,000 years ago, about 117–120 billion have been born. That includes the current living population of 8.1 billion. How many of these humans were/are exceptional meriting Biographies, Autobiographies & Biopics? I have no idea. Must be several thousand, if not more. How many such lives have we read about? Only a few, because life is short.

Who is a Genius?

A super-achiever; one with a very high IQ, exceptional creativity, problem-solving ability? A great leader? The world’s most compassionate, most-revered? The richest? What distinguishes a genius from an ordinary human? Are some geniuses the product of their times?

Maybe, I will write about these issues in a subsequent blog.

Genius & Mental Illness

Research suggests some correlation between high creative or intellectual functioning and vulnerability to mood disorders, particularly: Bipolar disorder (Manic-Depressive Illness), Schizophrenia, Severe depression, Autism spectrum traits.

Notably, not all geniuses suffer from mental illness, and not all mental illness leads to genius. The romanticized “mad genius” is more myth than rule.

A few geniuses who suffered mental illness were: Nash (paranoid schizophrenia), Vincent van Gogh (bipolar disorder or temporal lobe epilepsy), Sylvia Plath (major depression), Newton (exhibited periods of delusional paranoia and isolation), Beethoven -Musical genius despite deafness (depression and erratic behaviour).

Genius: Unsung & Unrecognised

Not every genius achieves greatness, not due to a lack of talent, but often due to external circumstances, personal struggles, or inner conflicts.

A few geniuses who failed to achieve greatness (at least during their lifetimes), despite immense potential: Nikola Tesla (Inventor & Electrical Engineer), Srinivasa Ramanujan (Mathematical Prodigy), Vincent van Gogh (Painter), Alan Turing (Computer Scientist & Mathematician), Emily Dickinson (Poet), Gregor Mendel (Geneticist).

Note: All end-notes are by ChatGPT.

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[i] Understanding Game Theory and Nash Equilibrium: A Simple Guide

What is Game Theory?

Game Theory is a branch of mathematics that studies how people make decisions when they are interacting with others. It's not just about games like chess or cards—it applies to real-life situations like:

•          Competing businesses setting prices

•          Countries negotiating treaties

•          Students deciding whether to study or cheat

In Game Theory, each person is called a "player", and each player has a set of "strategies" (choices). The goal is to predict what everyone will do when their decisions affect each other.

What is a Nash Equilibrium?

A Nash Equilibrium happens when no player has anything to gain by changing their own strategy—as long as the other players stick with theirs. It’s a situation where everyone is making the best choice they can, given what others are doing.

Example: The Prisoner’s Dilemma

Two suspects are caught by the police and kept in separate cells. They can either "Confess" or "Stay Silent".

                            Prisoner B: Stays Silent  Prisoner B: Confesses

Prisoner A: Stays Silent  A: 1 yr, B: 1 yr   A: 10 yrs, B: Free

Prisoner A: Confesses   A: Free, B: 10 yrs   A: 5 yrs, B: 5 yrs

If both stay silent, they get only 1 year.

But if one confesses and the other doesn’t, the one who confesses goes free while the other gets 10 years.

So, what do they do?

Nash Equilibrium: Both confess.

Why? Because each is afraid the other will confess, and if they stay silent while the other confesses, they get the worst deal.

Even though cooperation (staying silent) gives a better outcome, the fear of betrayal leads both to confess.

Real-Life Applications

Business:

Two companies decide whether to lower prices. If both cut prices, they lose profits. But if one cuts and the other doesn't, the cutter wins more customers.

Sports:

In penalty kicks, a goalkeeper and kicker play a strategic game—where to shoot or dive is influenced by the opponent’s behaviour.

Online Platforms:

YouTubers or Instagram creators decide how much to post or promote to stay ahead—if one posts daily, others may feel forced to do the same.

Why is Nash Equilibrium Important?

•          Helps us predict outcomes in competitive situations.

•          Encourages thinking not just about what I want, but what others will do.

•          Applies to economics, politics, biology, psychology, and more.

Conclusion

Game Theory teaches us that life is full of strategic choices. Nash Equilibrium is a powerful tool to understand how people make decisions in a world where everyone is thinking about everyone else. Whether the players are two prisoners, rival businesses, or even students in a classroom—Game Theory gives us a window into how real-world choices are made.

Summary

       PRISONER’S DILEMMA

•          Both Stay Silent → 1 year each

•          One Confesses → Other gets 10 yrs

•          Both Confess → 5 years each       

•          Nash Equilibrium: Both confess

[ii] Top 10 Oscar-Winning Biopics

1. Gandhi (1982)

Subject: Mahatma Gandhi

Oscar Wins: 8 (Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor – Ben Kingsley)

A sweeping epic about India's freedom struggle and the life of a spiritual revolutionary.

________________________________________

2. Amadeus (1984)

Subject: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Oscar Wins: 8 (Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor – F. Murray Abraham)

A dazzling portrayal of genius and jealousy in classical music's golden age.

________________________________________

3. A Beautiful Mind (2001)

Subject: John Nash (mathematician)

Oscar Wins: 4 (Best Picture, Best Director, Supporting Actress, Adapted Screenplay)

Blends brilliance with fragility in the story of a gifted mind battling schizophrenia.

________________________________________

4. The King’s Speech (2010)

Subject: King George VI

Oscar Wins: 4 (Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor – Colin Firth, Screenplay)

A moving story about overcoming personal limits under the pressure of history.

________________________________________

5. Oppenheimer (2023)

Subject: J. Robert Oppenheimer (father of the atomic bomb)

Oscar Wins: 7 (Best Picture, Best Director – Christopher Nolan, Best Actor – Cillian Murphy)

A bold, haunting look at science, power, and moral reckoning.

________________________________________

6. Ray (2004)

Subject: Ray Charles (musician)

Oscar Wins: 2 (Best Actor – Jamie Foxx, Sound Mixing)

Jamie Foxx’s transformative performance captures the rise of a musical icon.

________________________________________

7. Lincoln (2012)

Subject: Abraham Lincoln

Oscar Wins: 2 (Best Actor – Daniel Day-Lewis, Production Design)

A detailed, dialogue-driven portrait of political courage and leadership.

________________________________________

8. Walk the Line (2005)

Subject: Johnny Cash

Oscar Wins: 1 (Best Actress – Reese Witherspoon)

A heartfelt music biopic exploring love, addiction, and redemption.

________________________________________

9. Capote (2005)

Subject: Truman Capote

Oscar Wins: 1 (Best Actor – Philip Seymour Hoffman)

A gripping character study of a writer consumed by his masterpiece.

________________________________________

10. The Theory of Everything (2014)

Subject: Stephen Hawking

Oscar Wins: 1 (Best Actor – Eddie Redmayne)

Captures Hawking’s brilliance and human resilience with emotional depth.

[iii] Oscar-Nominated but Overlooked Biopics

1. Malcolm X (1992)

2. The Elephant Man (1980)

3. The Social Network (2010)

4. Selma (2014)

5. Chaplin (1992)

6. Frida (2002)

7. Ali (2001)

8. Steve Jobs (2015)

9. Jackie (2016)

10. Can You Ever Forgive Me? (2018)

[iv] Top 10 Biographies & Autobiographies of All Time

1.        The Life of Samuel Johnson by James Boswell (1791)

2.        The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank (1947)

3.        Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela (1994)

4.        The Story of My Experiments with Truth by Mahatma Gandhi (1927)

5.        The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt by Edmund Morris (1979)

6.        Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow (2004)

7.        Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson (2011)

8.        Einstein: His Life and Universe by Walter Isaacson (2007)

9.        Churchill: A Life by Martin Gilbert (1991)

10.      Frida: A Biography of Frida Kahlo by Hayden Herrera (1983)