So in a TLDR how did Chris Langan get famous for being so smart? ---Brave AI: Christopher Langan is often referred to as one of the smartest men in the world, with an IQ score that has been measured at 195, placing him on par with historical figures like Leonardo da Vinci, Ludwig Wittgenstein, and René Descartes.
Born on March 25, 1952, in San Francisco, California, Langan has spent much of his life working in labor-intensive jobs such as construction, cowboying, and as a bouncer at a bar on Long Island.
Despite his high IQ, Langan has not achieved significant academic or professional recognition, leading to discussions about the relationship between intelligence and success.

Langan's life story includes a difficult upbringing marked by poverty and instability. His mother, Mary Langan-Hansen, was cut off from her wealthy family, and his biological father left before he was born.
Langan's mother remarried multiple times, and her second husband was murdered, while her third husband committed suicide.
Langan grew up with his fourth stepfather, Jack Langan, who was described as a "failed journalist" who used a bullwhip as a disciplinary measure.

Langan's academic career was brief. He was offered scholarships to Reed College and the University of Chicago but chose Reed College, which he later described as a "big mistake".
He dropped out of both Reed College and Montana State University–Bozeman due to financial and transportation issues, as well as his belief that he could teach his professors more than they could teach him.

Langan has spent many years working on a hypothesis that reality is a self-simulation, a theory he calls the Cognitive-Theoretic Model of the Universe (CTMU).
However, he has not published any significant academic work or achieved widespread recognition for his theories.

In recent years, Langan's views have drawn controversy, particularly his association with alt-right and neo-Nazi internet forums.
His writings have included anti-Semitic rhetoric and praise for neo-Nazi content, leading to criticism and calls for debate with other intellectuals.

Despite his high IQ, Langan's life experiences and career path have been marked by challenges, raising questions about the factors that contribute to success beyond raw intelligence.