Book

As I continue to read Wittgenstein's Poker, I wonder, why does anyone care 
about what happened along time ago, in England, in a small room, when a few 
philosophers had a tiff, huffed off, and, basically whatever. I had no answer to 
this " philosophical question" until I started to get into the backgrounds of 
Wittgenstein and Popper. Both, Austrian Jews during the Nazi takeover, both 
having similar friends and business associates, both living in the same area, 
both so different, but both so deeply affected by their early lives that it 
impacted their way of thinking and their star crossed relationship forever.  
Wittgenstein, born into an incomprehensibly wealth Jewish family, who converted 
for assimilation into the Viennese society, was, to cut to the chase, a true 
genius, but truly " disturbed".  He could not find happiness or contentment, 
despite giving his vast sums to his sisters and teaching underprivileged kids.  
Then there was Popper.  His family was also Jewish, his father a lawyer, and 
comfortable, in many of the social circles as Wittgenstein, but never as rich or 
connected. 
No one can claim that Popper was unintelligent by any means, but, he was like 
the step child of the Wittgenstein's.  His family and he not as rich, 
intelligent, connected or special, but a player nonetheless.  
Wittgenstein and Popper were also extremely fortunate that they and their family 
were able to escape the death camps due to money, connections, luck and denial 
of heritage. 
I think, on some level, this denunciation of who they were ( Jewish) weighed on 
them. A conscious choice to change religion based on ones personal beliefs is 
quite different than changing to assimilate, fit in, be accepted, or, 
ultimately, not be persecuted or exterminated under Hitler's rule. 
Popper seemed to be an intelligent, deep thinker, but not nearly to the level of 
Wittgenstein.  Wittgenstein, aside from all the  money and connections, was a 
tortured genius, able to think on levels that Popper could only dream of. 
Wittgenstein had seemingly effortless ability to command a room and concept 
while Popper had a hard time getting people to listen or respect him (although 
he was quite respectable and intelligent) .