Crossword Genius

Old philosopher stops gathering old information (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

diogenes

'old philosopher' is the definition.
(ancient Greek philosopher)

'stops gathering old information' is the wordplay.
'stops' becomes 'dies' (as in a machine stopping or dying).
'gathering' is an insertion indicator.
'old' becomes 'o' (common abbreviation eg in OE for Old English).
'information' becomes 'gen' (gen can informally mean information).
'o'+'gen'='ogen'
'dies' going around 'ogen' is 'DIOGENES'.

(Other definitions for diogenes that I've seen before include "Athenian philosopher who lived in a tub" , "Philosophical fellow" , "Greek cynic philosopher who lived in tub" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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