John Mighton
Canadian author and mathematician John Mighton is the founder of JUMP (Junior Undiscovered Math Prodigies), a charitable organization that works to educate students in mathematics. He is the author of The Myth of Ability (2003) and The End of Ignorance (2007). Mighton is also a playwright, whose works include Possible Worlds, The Little Years, Body & Soul, Scientific Americans, A Short History of Night and Half-Life. He has a Doctorate in Mathematics (Topography). He also advised Gus van Sant, Matt Damon and Ben Affleck on the script for Good Will Hunting while it was shot in Toronto; Mighton was originally contacted to check the math/script but van Sant liked him so much that he gave him a small part as the professor's assistant. His one major line is a reference to his main idea in The Myth of Ability, which is that most people never get a chance because a teacher doesn't take the time to show them how to learn. Mighton was born in Hamilton and lives in Toronto, Canada.
References
- "John Mighton wins $100,000 theatre prize". CBC.ca Arts. CBC. 2005-10-25. Retrieved 2007-05-24.
- Morrow, Martin (2006-10-24). "Winning Formula: John Mighton touches lives with math and theatre". CBC.ca Arts. CBC. Retrieved 2007-05-24.
- "John Mighton". IMDB. Retrieved 2007-05-24.
- Pearce, Tralee (2003-05-31). "The Myth of Ability: John Mighton, educational alchemist". The Globe & Mail. Retrieved 2007-05-24.