Where is he now?

Check out Josh's website.

http://www.joshwaitzkin.com/book-art.html

He is a busy young man.

"Only the Sith deal in absolutes".

he is the two times thai-chi world champion now. he'll probably quit that too, and become a "seminar" man about his learning techniques.

He's one of those lucky bastards that seems to excel at everything he puts his mind to.  It's an impressive quality, one that inspires a strange mix of both envy and awe.

I wouldn't say "lucky". If you read his book "The Art of Learning" you will discover that his success is based on a lot of hard work and discipline. As for chess, he simply reached a point in his life where the game no longer interested him enough to continue it's pursuit.

Not interested enough in the game my left foot! He's pulling a Bobby Fischer except he himself hasn't really won anything like Fischer did. They should make a movie titled "Searching for Josh Waitzkin" where a really old Pandolfini finds a kid in Washington Square Park and Morpheus and crew is like, "Wow! Young Waitzkin!" =/

I'm just saying, if the guy's so good, why don't we see him in any big tournaments?

very very very funny :)

That and, his chess progress stalled and he wasn't able to make GM. I think he's awesome--an IM, the Chessmaster mascot, a world champion at pushing hands, and an entertaining and effective motivational speaker. He is lucky... but you also have to work darn hard (and wisely and with discipline) to accomplish so much. :)

I didn't mean to infer that his accomplishments were the result of luck.  Instead I was implying that he's lucky to have been born with the gifts that allow him to excel at anything he put's his mind to. 

As much as I'd like to believe that hard work and dedication was a guaranteed path to excellence, experience tells me otherwise.  I realize that it's almost un-American to speak such a heresy but innate ability (i.e. good genetics) matters.

 as a friend of mine always says "There's no substitute for ability."  Except Rybbka I suppose.

lol

GM Milov might take issue with that statement!

not only that. he had a lot of money for which he didn't have to go to a depressing office every single morning, and of course, a lot of time.

I have the Art of Learning Chessmaster computer program. AkA Chessmaster Grandmaster Edition. I have a feeling he is has left competitive chess to pursue the more lucrative form of teaching chess, so he can concentrate on his martial Arts pursuits.

You guys say anything about him....But i am really impress with his speeches...very inspirable.....person with very good humor...positive attitude....if he would have played after 97 he would be successfully chess master ever been....but i think he decided to spend his life for his social life and other hobbies......i will always admire his knowledge of chess...great person.