America, repeat after me...
"Einstein didn't speak until he was four."
"Depressed people are smarter."
"Autistic kids are so musically-talented."
"Smart kids are bad kids."
"Smart kids are bad kids."
Savant Syndrome: the phenomenon that describes individuals who--despite living with severe emotional, physical, or mental disabilities--have obvious and remarkable talent.
Like Rain Man, right?
Not necessarily.
Although true "Savant Syndrome" is typically regarded as a condition involving debilitating Autism or other congenital and acquired disorders, some degree of Savant Syndrome is apparent in many seemingly normal, unaffected, and talented individuals.
A whole hullabaloo of questions arise when considering the seemingly enigmatic qualities of a Savant. How can a debilitating disorder allow for--let alone facilitate--truly remarkable talent? Is there a relationship between struggle and greatness? Is it all just a coincidence? Is it just an excuse--some way to tether incredible people down to the world?
Maybe.
Or maybe it's just a romantic ploy, some unrelated correlation, some way of giving worth and hope to "the worthless." Either way, Savants of all "degrees" are--to say the least--intriguing to the public (especially talk show hosts).
"Your Achilles' Heel" will explore the mysteries behind extreme and acute cases of Savant Syndrome, in addition to its relation to contemporary literature, media, and culture. And if you stick around long enough, you might just learn how to determine what your special talent and more importantly, what your "Achilles' Heel" might be.
Got it Rachel, not sure why it takes me to a blank page first, have to hit the home button to read. We will work on this, going to read your post...
ReplyDeleteWell said, it does make me wonder. I worked with autistic children when I was young, it was a brief stint in San Francisco, but it was a group home where the parents left them for the week. Some were sever, others not, but I saw them accomplish some amazing things. Human contact is suppose to be limited, some where all about the sitting on your lap as log as you did not hug....blew my mind. Witnessed a boy with an ability to balance items I never thought could be balanced.
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