Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Julian Assange on giftedness

A quote from a blog written by Julian Assange quoted in an article by Barbara Gunnell in the Griffith Review:

"A lesson which many gifted persons never learn as long as they live is that human beings in general are inherently very different from themselves in thought, in action, in general intention, and in interests. Many a reformer has died at the hands of a mob, which he was trying to improve in the belief that other human beings can and should enjoy what he enjoys. This is one of the most painful and difficult lessons that each gifted child must learn, if personal development is to proceed successfully...Failure to learn how to tolerate in a reasonable fashion the foolishness of others leads to bitterness, disillusionment, and misanthropy."


At least part of this text is the same as some text in a very interesting webpage about giftedness at the fascinating Sidis Archives, which is all about the famous child prodigy William James Sidis, who has been identified by one writer as autistic.

Gunnell, Barbara (2011) Rebel, public nuisance and dreamer. Griffith Review. Edition 32: Wicked Problems, Exquisite Dilemmas. Autumn, 2011.
http://griffithreview.com/edition-32-wicked-problems-exquisite-dilemmas/rebel-public-nuisance-and-dreamer/page-3

Stacey's HighQ Page "The HighQ Community"
Sidis Archives.
http://www.sidis.net/HighQStacey.htm

No comments: