The Bizarre Story of the Boy Who Lost His Genius

[@Newsthink]

*What factors do you think contribute to someone losing their innate talent?* Try brilliant.org/Newsthink/ for FREE for 30 days, and the first 200 people will get 20% off their annual premium subscription

[@johnsmith-zx3ek]

Basically he was born like this guy Daniel that had aspergers(watched this documentary 2 times throughout my life, dont know why) kzbin.info/www/bejne/hoHchKFpqNGZjqs This man can do square roots as he views numbers as colored shapes that fit togheter like puzzle, that's how he decomposes them(so he does calculations with a part of his brain that was supposed to be used for fast reflexes thinking). Why can someone lose his ability ? he probably didnt lose that ability, just got tired of advanced maths and could probably do only the basic long numbers calculations.

[@NorthLoftier]

Use it or lose it, as well as grow or be below. Boredom and excitement could play a large role in providing a person with sufficient energy to do well, but what affects that, however, is the person's current level, understanding, and drive which would to lead what they next think is interesting and exciting to pursue. Intelligence is multifaceted as the brain is complex. Being born with mathematical capabilities implies that your nature/genetics allowed you to develop extra points of strength in that area, hence you're remarkably flexible and able to grow faster within it when nurtured properly, while other areas in your capabilities would likely be weaker than average as your focus goes to your strength points, therefore you'll struggle more with them. Zerah was perhaps a high functioning autistic (Asperger's syndrome in other terms, as the person above me has said), and as an autistic person myself and who's educated on the topic, it does seem so that we have different advantages/disadvantages and functionalities/malfunctionalities than people who fall within the NP spectrum, oftentimes they can be quite imbalanced. Zerah was neglected and wasn't provided with enough resources and support to continue positively nurturing his early strength areas, which he'd developed to a good mental extent. It highly resembles when a grown master is too old to be as good as he was. It's said that he later went to become a professor of language before passing away at 35. That implies he had found other interests to which he then developed his strength into. I'm not sure I'd define a math prodigy as a genius, though. Mathematical, musical, and so on prodigies are, as I declared eariler, only born with extra points of strength in these areas, which allows them to be high in flexibility and quick in growth when nurtured properly in what would later be considered special talents, and that could contribute to having more advantages to grow in other areas later in life, as, like the domino effect, intelligence is like physical strength except it's mental strength. Diving more into the topic, I'd say we're too flexible to be born within a fixed limitation that defines all our capabilities in life. It's just that we're provided with different points of strength that can be nurtured more effectively, and the weaker areas are harder but still highly possible to improve. Both nurture/environment and nature/genetics play a role in developing intelligence, but upon certain regurements being met (which are the norm), the former is the most impactful and dominant factor in this.

[@albigensiac3206]

Overwhelmingly, it is people's expectations of a small child that kills their gift. Like a tall child who wants to be a poet or writer, who is pushed, pushed and FORCED to become a basketball player, because that is the only use people can see for their height. A child has no say in the direction of their education.

[@TafadzwaRukobo]

tainted head meds, having similar socio and economic opinions to your pharmacist is essential.

[@andrewmutavi590]

Lack of practice/performance of said Talents

[@GamerEngineer1345]

It's still massively impressive that he became a professor at a young age its just the high expectations make it look underwhelming.

[@DhruveDahiya]

I am inclined to agree

[@benj0091]

It's not really impressive considering his intelligence, it's just sad that it ended like that

[@xum0007]

Honestly, so true. What else was the kid supposed to do in the early 1800s? At least he shared his knowledge with others.

[@PraiseTheLordyourGodJesus]

😢Ephesians‬ ‭6:10‭-‬18‬ ‭Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints. The bible is no old book. You have to really let Christ open your eyes; to see the world in shambles. Many people say it's a religion to lock up people in chains, and say it's a rule book.. why? Because people hate hearing the truth, it hurts their flesh, it's hurts their pride, it's exposes on what things have they done..people love this world so much, s*x, money, power, women, supercars.. things of this world. Still trying to find something that can fill that emptiness in your heart. You can't find that in this world.. only in Christ, the bible is no chains, it's a chainbreaker. Breaking your sins into pieces... Repent now, and turn back to the true Lord only.. God bless.😢😢

[@cordrust]

​@@benj0091 thats illogical

[@andrewmutavi590]

When people dictate an individual's future ends up draining the individuality out of a unique indivindual

[@cursednapmiuq2571]

And most of the time we take alot of things for granted, things like simply flattering someone without bad intentions can cause them a burden It sucks for the victim when they end up absorbing it than analyzing what was said And thats why compliments makes me cringe personally

[@andrewmutavi590]

@@cursednapmiuq2571 would you rather they scold u,rebuke u or ridicule u?or would u rather they just not talk to u at all?

[@cursednapmiuq2571]

@@andrewmutavi590 i dont have to choose what they have to do for me so i wont pick any. Its okay if they scold me praise me or ignore me As ive said, id rather analyze or understand what was said or done in a good way (tbh i have no other way of putting it so im just repeating it here haha)

[@rhyswong8976]

I have a cousin pretty distant one, at 6 years old he could memorise comic book drawings and could replicate it almost to the line. As a fan of art... I was amazed (I was like 12 or so) and I showed a sample to my art teacher and they wouldn't believe it was from a 6 year old child. I tried to convince his parents to send him to art school, almost begging, because he love to draw so much and he is so happy with it. Perhaps I was not close to them as distant cousins so the idea didnt stick... but for certain their parents (Asian parents) did not believe that art would bring prosperous money. After the meeting, I only heard that their parents adamantly told the kid to study accounts and business. Now we are all grew up he became an accountant, I asked him about his art, he said its All Gone now, he still do art but its not the same one bit. What a waste! Truly

[@Ransome1690]

What a shame, had all that passion and potential, someone who could've brought many inspiration and encouragement to practicing artists just for some douchebag parents to will him into becoming just another run of the mill white collar work slave for the 1% elite population, damn.

[@isaacvelasquez3892]

If he had that memory he would have talent for almost any career, the more complex the better. Art is one of the less complex (intellectually speaking) so it would have been a waist of his talent, you might like to draw and you can still do it but you don’t have to make it a career, just a hobby and if you are succesful you can make a career out of it. Selling is about marketing, not quality of your product, the quality of your product is only something that could do marketing to your product.

[@rhyswong8976]

@@isaacvelasquez3892 Yeap same thing I told him when I met him after so many years. Of course we lament it was a pity and a waste but hey he is still happy where he is now so it's OK :)

[@ttwiligh7]

You can find people with the ability of copying music, hearing for once and playing on piano right after, but that doesn't mean they can compose great music. Maybe the same thing with him. If that was the true creativity, it wouldn't stop there. I'm good at copying pictures, at least better than average people, but I suck at producing something imaginative.

[@aubjuck5553]

I was good at drawing made many cartoon characters and realistic peices when I was 10-12, although I was very good at studies my mom teared down my art files and notebooks in front me saying you gotta do better, it felt bad everytime my ches felt heavy idk why maybe cause drawings were from my mind and imagination and you get connected while drawing, I started drawing alone and secretly eventually stopping. Co incidentally my grades dropped with it too I took other bad habits like playing video games later on. Last time I drew after so many years 3-4 years ago much after that incident it was so realistic everyone got crazy but I no longer felt motivated doing it. I don't know if I was a genius or not but it felt alive and moving when I drew. Although now I am doing good in studies got into a pretty good university economics and all. There were language barriers two times in my school life i still did ok. I don't have regrets at all

[@Bash70]

I'm surprised nobody considered this to be a possible blessing in disguise. The lives of many geniuses end in regret and tragedy. Cultivating that genius often comes at the cost of family and their love life.

[@galaxy1234]

I won't say it a blessing either. No one can say. But he lived a fulfilling life. That is what's needed in life and that is what even some of the greatest people lack. So it's not a sad story.

[@galaxy1234]

He found he gets happiness and fullfillment in religion and literature, not maths. So good for him.

[@DhruveDahiya]

exactly@@galaxy1234

[@DwAboutItManFr]

This is not a bless? Imagine giving a fuck to these things.

[@brianstlucifer4810]

Yes indeed. Look at the "GOAT" genius's family life (Mr A.E). Man mistreated his wife and kids like an idiot.

[@isaaclim9079]

this story sounds similar to "the pity of zhong yong" (伤仲永) by Wang An Shi. Wang Anshi explains that even a gifted ability can wither without proper education. Natural talent should be appreciated, and nurtured as well. Even a child prodigy should be educated. Don’t neglect your natural aptitude and study well.

[@hmnshpl]

Can you please share the link?

[@mintymint7885]

王安石·《伤仲永》 金溪民方仲永，世隶耕。仲永生五年，未尝识书具，忽啼求之；父异焉，借旁近与之，即书诗四句，并自为其名，其诗以养父母、收族为意，传一乡秀才观之。自是指物作诗立就，其文理皆有可观者。邑人奇之，稍稍宾客其父，或以钱币乞之。父利其然也，日扳仲永环谒于邑人，不使学。 余闻之也久。明道中，从先人还家，于舅家见之，十二三矣。令作诗，不能称前时之闻。又七年，还自扬州，复到舅家问焉。曰：“泯然众人矣！” 王子曰：仲永之通悟，受之天也。其受之天也，贤于材人远矣。卒之为众人，则其受于人者不至也。彼其受之天也，如此其贤也，不受之人，且为众人；今夫不受之天，固众人，又不受之人，得为众人而已邪？ Lament over the Oblivion of Zhongyong Wang Anshi Fang Zhongyong, a Jinxi resident, has been farming for his entire life. Although he had never been taught how to use a writing tool, one day at the age of five, he suddenly cried for one. Amazed, his father borrowed one from a neighbor. Instantly, he wrote down a four-line verse and signed it. The verse was something about supporting parents and improving clan relationships, which was circulated for viewing among all the scholars in the village. Ever since then, Zhongyong improvised verses on objects randomly picked, and his verses all showed literary talent and ingenuity in diction. Finding this peculiar, people in the county started to entertain his father with dinners or simply to pay for Zhongyong’s poems. Seeing the profits in this, every day, his father took him around in the country visiting people, but ignored his studies. I heard this for a long time, but it was only after I returned to the county with my father in the year of Mingdao that I saw the boy in my uncle’s home. He was already twelve or thirteen years old by then, and the verses he wrote upon request did not attain to what was heard before. Seven years later, I came back home again from Yangzhou. Upon revisiting my uncle, I asked about the boy. “He is obscured as an ordinary person” was the reply! Here is my comment: Zhongyong’s talent was innate. Although he enjoyed a natural gift far above most other talented people, he faded into an ordinary person because he didn’t receive enough education. If such a born talent would without education have wilted into ordinariness, then what about those ordinary people who do not have the innate talent nor receive education-just ordinary? From: m.kekenet.com/kouyi/202008/615036.shtml

[@PraiseTheLordyourGodJesus]

😢Ephesians‬ ‭6:10‭-‬18‬ ‭Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints. The bible is no old book. You have to really let Christ open your eyes; to see the world in shambles. Many people say it's a religion to lock up people in chains, and say it's a rule book.. why? Because people hate hearing the truth, it hurts their flesh, it's hurts their pride, it's exposes on what things have they done..people love this world so much, s*x, money, power, women, supercars.. things of this world. Still trying to find something that can fill that emptiness in your heart. You can't find that in this world.. only in Christ, the bible is no chains, it's a chainbreaker. Breaking your sins into pieces... Repent now, and turn back to the true Lord only.. God bless.😢

[@markiyanhapyak349]

Studying is DYING( while possessing a talent)!!! The *TRUE key* is training!!

[@maskedmarvyl4774]

His father wasn't very bright. "Oh look, he has a gift for math! Instead of finding him a good school here to encourage it, I'll take him Out of school, abandon my wife and other children, and travel around the world having him perform like a monkey so I can profit!" Great idea, genius.

[@devinmes1868]

Intellectual gifts are much like targets. When the average person detects a genius, they tend to push all sorts of ideas onto them and pressure those geniuses into being their idea of genius. So in other words, they become the target of people's expectations like no other. The weight of this can be incredibly unbearable, and often geniuses simply retreat into the shadows or become incredibly burnt out. Self-loathing comes after this, with the genius either growing to hate their gift, the people around them, or themselves for not living up to the expectations of others. It's a sad thing to be a genius, and it's hardly enviable once you learn of the way that people treat them. Geniuses are little more than guinea pigs or superheroes to most people, attractions that make their day a little more interesting.

[@zah936]

Agreed

[@yurishaa.9337]

That is before you add how most of the burden comes from how much the stupidity of many put into effect. Such world that never deserve even the slightest above-intelligent members of its society.

[@cursednapmiuq2571]

Its not just geniuses tho Its like a normal thing for us to do when we see another as someone perfect

[@SierNotsruht]

How would you know?

[@ok-lo9eg]

​@@SierNotsruhtstop😊

[@epenies]

It’s as simple as “you lose what you don’t use.” The brain is not trying to be as smart as possible, but just optimal and efficient enough for your daily demands.

[@romeymarshall753]

What a crappy father. Couldn't make something of his own life so he exploited his own son and acted in his own self interest and his son's gift was wasted as a result.

[@dibdap2373]

Many such cases.

[@ElectricAvenue12Ga]

They should have remained in America, there he might have reached his full potential.

[@anonymousstacker2044]

While intelligence is largely heritable from father to son, the son's exceptional intelligence was unfortunately a purely random thing. That means the father has extreme incapacity to raise him. But worse than his lack of awareness is his shortsighted selfishness; a dumb yet kind father would have entrusted his son's education to people who are actually ducated.

[@chillaxer8273]

Wow what a wacky comment with this many likes. I see a father that was so impressed with his son, being his own sons biggest fan and pushing him for greatness during a time where it seemed like he was the only one that believed in him. But I dont know the full story

[@nazarenoalmiron526]

@@anonymousstacker2044 False, it's not inheritable.

[@jameswilson591]

He was so smart that he pretended to become stupid to get people to lower their expectations of him. Absolutely brilliant!!!!

[@technowey]

My youngest brother is autistic, i.e. ASD-1. When he was very little, you could give him any date, and he'd instantly tell you the day of the week that date was, and he'd be correct. When he went to school, later he lost that ability. My mother thought he lost it after he was taught mathematics, although that might have been unrelated to the loss of that ability. He always had an incredible memory. When he met someone, he'd often ask what their name was, what their birthday was, and what they did for work. Even if he didn't meet them again for years, when he met them again, once he knew their name, which he'd usually recall too, he'd instantly recall the other information about them.

[@sammy_trix]

I don't think he lost his genius. He was a genius that went through so many circumstances that it is literally taxing to his mind, and when he had lost focus on mathematics and also not learning the new stuff about mathematics he went to a slow process. If he had been surrounded by other great geniuses and mathematicians, he might have grown up like Gauss. Still being a Preacher, he's done a lot of great things, that is his destiny to impact in silent ways. He had shown all his greatness in math as a kid, and he had given all his last years for God and for His Glory.

[@LisaCoffee-i4s]

Gauss is a good parallel to his story, since they both kinda started at the same point.

[@PraiseTheLordyourGodJesus]

😢Ephesians‬ ‭6:10‭-‬18‬ ‭Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints. The bible is no old book. You have to really let Christ open your eyes; to see the world in shambles. Many people say it's a religion to lock up people in chains, and say it's a rule book.. why? Because people hate hearing the truth, it hurts their flesh, it's hurts their pride, it's exposes on what things have they done..people love this world so much, s*x, money, power, women, supercars.. things of this world. Still trying to find something that can fill that emptiness in your heart. You can't find that in this world.. only in Christ, the bible is no chains, it's a chainbreaker. Breaking your sins into pieces... Repent now, and turn back to the true Lord only.. God bless.😢😢😢

[@geargeekpdx3566]

Zerah is brilliant but Quardix is a higher Scrabble score.

[@geargeekpdx3566]

@@LisaCoffee-i4sI can't remember Gauss because it's all just a blur

[@2jpu524]

Gauss' father lamented that he didn't want to be a bricklayer like he was. Gauss himself was able to solve problems that had stumped other mathematicians for a thousand years, but he was also a man that was so preoccupied with solving math problems that he didn't visit his wife at her request on her deathbed.

[@p.f.luxenberg3881]

The amount of genius unknown breaks my heart.

[@kramarancko1107]

@@lateral1385what?

[@rswow]

Who wants to help make one genius known.

[@Cristopherdreamer]

If they end up being known, it might end up ruining their life

[@lizxu322]

agreed. all the potential geniuses out there who never realise it due to dying in infancy due to malnutrition, etc

[@anonymousstacker2044]

I think that them being "known" to others isn't what you and all of us should be so concerned about. It's their well-being and personal fullfillment that matters.

[@chancerobinson5112]

I have a friend who was a prodigy on the violin. His parents controlled him until he became estranged, and the musical gift mysteriously disappeared. vote 5112

[@errebusaether]

He lost his passion perhaps.

[@syrup-]

Wdym vote 5512?

[@frierenpout]

Some are just autistic savant abilities which get pruned. True omnibus extrapolated 180+ IQ SD15 geniuses never lose their ability, even past the age of 10. From my memory, Joshua Bell was 12 when he started formal violin lessons. Etc. etc. Einstein was 12 when he had mastered differential and integral calculus.

[@DayBotKnightBot]

@@syrup-it is also in his username

[@glitcharcing]

@@syrup-psychosis? Lol

[@E-Kat]

This reminds me of the story of Srinivasa Ramanujan, who was able to do complicated maths at a very young age and who said that this knowledge was being sent to him by Gods, to share with humanity. But he didn't loose his talent, he grew it. Unfortunately he had died at a very young age of 33 if I remember correctly, from TB. Imagine if he carried on living till an old age, what could have he figured out?

[@ebob4177]

He became a language professor. Hardly a failure.

[@creativesource3514]

Intellectually that is two different things that are very far apart.

[@chillaxer8273]

Language is the study of ideas. Its beyond mathematics but simpletons are way too dumb to realize this

[@creativesource3514]

@chillaxer8273 You sound like you are really bad at maths.

[@allseeingeye93]

@@creativesource3514Not necessarily, some branches of mathematics and linguistics have a fair amount of overlap. For example, the design and use of formal languages often draws a great deal from mathematics. Programming languages like Haskell, OCaml, and Idris draw heavily on the mathematical branches known as category theory and lambda calculus. Prolog uses linguistic statements to compute formal proofs. Homoiconic languages like LISP use symbolic manipulation to generate code. Many mathematical proofs rely on symbolic manipulation within some formal language.

[@creativesource3514]

@allseeingeye93 The way I see it is if there is intelligent life in the universe they will still come up with the same maths but they may or may not have language.

[@ronaldtaylor8326]

Geniuses often peak early and have burnout or fog later on life if the gift is not nurtured carefully or greatly

[@BA-ff3xq]

Fog? Like brain fog?

[@fffmcfff9112]

​@@BA-ff3xqTHE FOG IS COMING

[@patric_forreal]

I would blame his father for his loss

[@_Breakdown]

Wow - - that’s telling. I’d really like to hear any thoughts you have to expound on this... is it personal because of your relationship with your father? Or do you believe it’s sort of a universal “duty” or obligation of a father. Some people have absent or distant fathers, some have abusive or neglectful fathers, some have young unprepared or incapable fathers, some have irresponsible fathers, some have unprotective fathers, some have dangerous fathers, and what can be very sad is that some of those fathers have their own neglected, abused, abandoned, distant, absent, and unprotected upbringings. And some people never know their fathers. Any scenario could be considered a “father wound.” It can take a lifetime to mend it.

[@estaguy177]

bro what you ramblin about his father was just a loser who exploited his child for money instead of letting his kid have a normal education and childhood@@_Breakdown

[@user-kb9oy9nn2l]

@@estaguy177Fr 😂

[@prrithwirajbarman8389]

At least his father tried.

[@_Breakdown]

@@prrithwirajbarman8389 *Wow - WOW - **_WOW_** - prrithwirajbarman8389 - - THANK YOU for your comment. Insightful and truthful. So simple and to the point. So simple that one could somehow miss that straightforward truth: **_At least his father tried._** He tried indeed. Profound. That gave me pause. In fact, you answered my question. (How could I have missed that?) A MILLION THANK YOUS !* 😌❤‍🩹🙏😇❤‍🔥👍👍🤍🕊

[@redrevyol]

People who are "calculators" cannot be considered a genius. Geniuses are people who can naturally solve problems regardless how much time it takes.

[@homies1270]

By that logic everyone is a genius because with infinite time comes eventually the right answers

[@redrevyol]

@@homies1270 Exactly. Einstein said it himself. "Everybody is a genius".

[@Ch0senJuan]

@@redrevyolisn’t people who are calculators under the umbrella of “everybody”?

[@javierchavarria1386]

@@Ch0senJuani think it really comes down to determination. Hard work will beat talent UNTIL talent works hard. Terrence Tao or Leo Messi are examples of pure talent working hard. Cristiano is a hard working man, athletic but not natural talent for football. Same can be said for any discipline.

[@kayvoncrenshaw1799]

Would you consider yourself to be a good person? How many lies have you told, and what do you call someone who lies? Have you ever stolen something, and what do you call someone who steals? Have you ever taken God’s name in vain (very serious; in Old Testament times, the Jews wouldn’t even say the name of God for fear of blasphemy) - even ‘OMG’? One more: Jesus said whoever looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery in his heart; have you ever looked with lust? Well I’m not judging you - but if you’ve done these things then you’re a liar, thief, blasphemer and adulterer-at-heart; that’s how seriously God takes sin. He is Holy (perfectly good/righteous and separate from sin) which means that H e is perfect in justice - and if He were to judge you by the moral law (we’ve already looked at 4 commandments) would you be innocent or guilty? Heaven or H***? The answer is h*** - the wrath of God upon you for your sin. Is that concerning? But fortunately, God’s will is not that you perish. He wants all men everywhere to be saved. So do you know what He did for us guilty sinners? In self-giving mercy, He sent His Son Jesus Christ. He lived the perfect life that we should have lived - tempted at all points and yet He NEVER sinned. Through His life, being in very nature God, He revealed God to men; but we in our hatred condemned Him to death. On that cross as Jesus suffered, He took on the sin of the world and was judged in our place; receiving God’s wrath. You and I broke God’s law, but Jesus paid the fine. God can justly forgive us. On that cross He died, then He was buried, but 3 days later He was raised from the dead - conquering death and H*** and ushering in The Kingdom of God. He then ascended to the right hand of God the Father (where He came from) now Lord of the living and the dead. God has fixed a date when He will judge the world in righteousness. What you need to do is repent (In humility, acknowledge your sin before God and turn to a relationship with Him) and trust ALONE in Jesus Christ and His work on the cross; and God will grant you the gift of the Holy Spirit. Then be baptised. When you place your trust in Jesus - the Lord and Saviour - these things will happen: 1) God will forgive the sins that you have committed; they were paid for by Jesus at the cross. 2) The perfect life that Jesus lived will be credited to you. He will find you holy and blameless on judgement day (and now), as Christ’s righteousness covers you. 3) You receive a place in Christ’s kingdom as an adopted child of God. God becomes your Father. Eternal life isn’t just about living forever, but a personal relationship with God Himself. That life can start now; The Father will reveal Himself to you if you seek Him. 4) God doesn’t just save you from the penalty of your sin (H***). He can save you from the power of sin itself. Whoever practices sin is a slave of sin; but when you repent and believe the gospel [WHICH HAS BEEN DESCRIBED] the Holy Spirit comes to dwell in you and sanctify you (working in you to further abandon sin and turn to the will of God). When the end of the age comes, and eternity begins, this work will be brought to completion as you are finally freed from the presence of sin. Jesus offers to take away your sin and to give you His righteousness; you must receive it by faith. Choose this day if you will align with the world, or with Jesus and His kingdom - only His is eternal. ROMANS 10:9 - If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved

[@spitalhelles3380]

>genius child >goes to school >becomes dumb

[@tsameerab]

I love these stories and listen to them when I take a break at work. Thank you so much, I was fed up with so many garbage popular videos. Please do one on Maxwell Plank, the math genius.

[@M1551NGN0]

My mother had always called me as a Gifted student. I could have easily learnt anything in my textbooks in just one read up until class 6th. After that, my the ability faded away but I instead developed a good problem solving ability. I was the class topper until grade 9 when lockdown hit, then I became slack and my grade 10th result sucked. Then came grade 11 when schools finally opened, and my performance went an all-time low. Now in class 12 my condition ain't improving and now I have lost my will to live

[@RADIT-ip3eq]

Look at morning sky bro... It beautifull yet it fade along day, sometime it sunny sometime it cloudy sometime it rainy... but take notice of it, it grow stunning along sunset and tommorow it will come back as it is. Life isnt all about who you will become but what you do along that way... you will suprise how appreciate small thing in life can make difference. It normal to feel down, left out, or numb... but do remember if you dwell on such thing it will become part of your life. So life it. Do what you can do, that it. You will learn more latter on life how to find small thing worth keeping as part of you... Cheers

[@M1551NGN0]

@@RADIT-ip3eq thank you so much for the motivation bro ❤️

[@condorianonegdiffsgoku]

I mean my grades kept going down (as low as below 40 out of 60 students) and up (first among 60) from when I was in elementary. These for most part happen due to efficient effort or lack of it, not talent. There are a lot of subjects and you don't have a special talent for all. Just don't keep thinking about internet when studying.

[@M1551NGN0]

@@condorianonegdiffsgoku that last line is exactly what happens with me I want to remove that Btw I don't have a lot of subjects just my choice of physics, chemistry, maths, English and computer that's it and I don't feel any of them as burden

[@condorianonegdiffsgoku]

@@M1551NGN0 Just study 25 minutes and 5 minute internet. Again 25 minutes study and 5 mintue break. Again 25 and 5. Another 25 and 5. Now repeat that's one cycle. Repeat this cycle three/four times in a day. If you don't understand something, don't search it on the internet during that 25 minutes. Just leave it for a time outside the cycles. You can adjust the time to your liking. So you can increase or decrease the 25 or 5. You can also go for longer stury time. If it still does not work, you can try other methods or have a private teacher who will test you everyday.

[@whatthefunction9140]

My grades got really bad in 11th grade, people thought i was being lazy but i really just think my brain changed. I remember loosing my ability to fully understand a concept with little i put. I did hit my head bady around that time but i cant remember if that happened 1st.

[@neelam4413]

Are you still a student? How are you doing?

[@leonardt9038]

is it possible that you got subtle problems with posture/back or food or anything that could have deteriorated the oxygen/blood flow to your brain?

[@zah936]

Same here

[@user-03-gsa3]

@@leonardt9038 elaborate

[@henrypaul8823]

how does somebody lose their intelligence all of a sudden? i don't get it.

[@JaneNewAuthor]

From the segments of his autobiography that you read, he was an excellent writer too. He was possibly a polymath, highly skilled in languages as well as maths, but it was never developed due to inadequate education. A school like Westminster would have been hellish for him.

[@Legally_Bomb]

Great story. Thank you for sharing. He lived a fascinating life and had an extraordinary gift.

[@galaxy1234]

It's Not a 'sad story'. He lived a happy and fulfilling life in his adulthood. He never said that he wanted to be a mathematician. People around him started saying that at an age of just 6 years. He could have become one if he was taught mathematics at a good school. But again there is no certainity that it could happen. Also taking a child away from his normal life with his family usually makes a negative effect on their minds. And sometimes too much expectations make things worse.

[@glitcharcing]

What makes this story sad is how the father seemed to continuously refused education for his child at the opportunity of making a quick buck. Smh

[@I61void]

He lost it because he was depressed. I am not a genius but I was always laid back in school, no studying, skipped classes, got easy As and some Bs. Last year I had a big fight with my dad over nothing, which has accumulated over my life and finally hit me and the amount of stress and depression that I had built up. It felt like someone grabbed a chain and tied weights on each end and hanged it on my neck. I had never ever been that depressed. On top of that since my family had COVID for the next two weeks I was stuck since I had it too. When I came back to school I felt very slow. The pain in my neck and head still there. I found it very hard to concentrate, and surprisingly difficukt to calculate simple stuff like 13*8. I literally felt like I was a special needs, almost drooling… anyways since then I haven’t fully recovered. Sometimes I get my ability back for a bit and become a smartie I once was for a week and other times I have to struggle like a regular mf. If I had the opportunity to go back in time I would’ve ran away from home and never returned.

[@michaelr1577]

Vaccine?

[@I61void]

@@michaelr1577 nah, I had two shots taken a month prior to school starting and the first semester was literally my best yet, got like a 4.2 gpa from 1 ap class, all A+ and one A- (I had a college level class, not AP that is like AP when weighted). That wasn't going to be the case though because a month before school started I didn't care for school until I had a conversation with one of my moms friends. Anyways that part didn't happen until around february/march so it was until the second semester or 3rd quarter. Unless the vaccines kicked in a little late but I don't think so, I'm not for the covid vaccines either, not tryna defend them. It was that terrible depression, never in my life had I contemplated suicide but during those times I was really close... (about contemplating it not doing it, just thinking about it and arguing its outcome within myself). But anyways this goes for anyone out there, if you have abusive parents(verbal, physical,) and you want to be something, don't put up with it. Just a year ago when i started college I became homeless for a few days because a parent kicked me out, I remember like it was yesterday, the first time I ever felt like keeling myself. I was sitting on a bench in front of a road with cars whizzing by, I thought I was going to do it and I was crying, I even thought about whose car I was going to jump in front of, not a family, perhaps a single person so there won't be that many people traumatized... its crazy considering all my life suicide has always been the worst option out of everything, and now that thought is stronger than ever. I would rather suffer than off myself, whether my life is good or not, I only get 1 and this life is all I know. I cannot count on these religious ideas about afterlife to look forward too, I do not know if they are valid or invalid. Anyways sorry for making this long comment. I think of it as a journal entry but without having to keep a journal and at least someone could see my words without having to publish it and or going by "philosopher" or sorts.

[@godofimagination]

How long ago was the incident?

[@Souljahna]

@@I61void I hope you are feeling better with time passing. Don't give up. I know people this has happened to and with time, your spirits will improve. You will find a way.

[@torgeirl]

As someone with basically a bachelors in pure mathematics, I can confidently say I was also better at basic multiplication in 6th grade lol

[@iglaucoyt]

I find myself facing the thought that I am not nurturing my talents and this is killing me little by little. Its hard to determine straight how of that is real since I got lost in miscare and misdirection growing up

[@mikemondano3624]

Being good at arithmetic doesn't make anyone a "genius". It makes them a calculator. He was very smart, no doubt, but the genius expectation nearly ruined his life. Pretending to have lost his talent would have been the most genius-like thing he could have done.

[@khalidbinasim6942]

Thanks for this knowledge

[@GeoffryGifari]

Are cases where prodigies end up "losing their genius" in any way common among prodigies?

[@sonicmaths8285]

I think “not used” is more common.

[@anthonyplaza1131]

I have lost my genius well not really intelligence, I was always at the top of my closs or honors academically good on every subject yet because of traumas and life experiences that happened durong February until now...lost everything

[@GeoffryGifari]

@@anthonyplaza1131 hopefully you can keep your chin up and move forward mate...

[@anthonyplaza1131]

@@GeoffryGifari thanks mate, I am barely surviving now. I am taking a rest, the next year hopefully I heal. I get to continue my degree. I am taking cs btw

[@genovayork2468]

​@@anthonyplaza1131How?

[@seanwebb605]

It's a good thing they had those recordings of him counting.

[@alanbarnett718]

He was a lightning calculator, a very limited and almost useless freak talent. He was not a mathematical genius, as he himself well knew, and no amount of education would have turned him into one. His true talent was for languages, and in the end that and the Gospels were what he based his life on. The truly amazing thing is the sheer amount of living he managed to pack into just 34 years!

[@spidermanlift4527]

I wouldn't call it a useless talent, sure there are better talents.. I'd like to be a lightning calculator sometimes

[@condorianonegdiffsgoku]

​@@spidermanlift4527 I have an actual electric calculator. So I am a greater genius.

[@RuthvenMurgatroyd]

It's not useless though. Some of the best mathematicians ever were good precisely because of the familiarity with numbers that that so-called "freak talent" afforded them. Euler, Lagrange, Gauss, Ramanujan, &c. all were good at mental calculation.

[@condorianonegdiffsgoku]

@@RuthvenMurgatroyd Did they have modern calculators back then?

[@RuthvenMurgatroyd]

@@condorianonegdiffsgoku having a superior number sense isn't something you can just fake with a calculator. Why do you think we still teach children how to do arithmetic if it's so useless?

[@DerangedMerger]

9:58 My thoughts on this story... My first thoughts on this story are dark, pessimistic, sad... This story reminds me how cruel, selfish, greedy, awful, self-indulgent, lazy, egoistic, inconsiderate, ruthless, vain, insensitive, materialistic, indifferent, etc. most people are. This story reminds me how painful, unbearable and unfair life sometimes is. It reminds me, how hard it is to find any moments of happiness, how much it costs to keep them, to enjoy them, before one of so many opportunistic, vile perpetrator will deprive you from it. I'm truly amazed that we, humans, have managed not to annihilate ourselves yet. Nevertheless, some how, against all odds and logic, I am still, naively, stupidly and irrationally, hopeful.

[@nobbynoris]

...Ended up as a professor of languages. I wouldn't exactly say that equates to lost genius or wasted talent.

[@mrtienphysics666]

How do you define a genius?

[@DowneyMax]

The words that compliment skill or intellect have no proper definitions

[@mrtienphysics666]

@@DowneyMax How do you define skills and intellect?

[@DavidGoggins-ne1xo]

​@@mrtienphysics666your mom

[@condorianonegdiffsgoku]

​@@mrtienphysics666How do you define define?

[@mrtienphysics666]

@@condorianonegdiffsgoku Good question. Define means break down a vague term into something more concrete, definable, quantifiable and measurable. How do you define "genius"?

[@nodamnpie]

Are we sure he lost his genius, or was he smart enough to discern what leads to a meaningful life.

[@loszhor]

4:06 That was nice of him.

[@AndromedaOverseen]

This should be called the griffin effect because in family guy lore all of their children were smart as babies but became dumber when they got older 😂

[@gauranshbansal]

I think the reason he lost his talent might have to do with him coming to subconsciously hate it in his childhood. He was separated from his parents, he was treated as some animal in a zoo, his education was discontinued, he was then unable to get his around tricky problems which all could contribute to him coming to hate that calculation prowess of his.

[@satishm5260]

The language you use in describing him tells us what people in general think of geniuses. The problem is that vast number of people always want to use whatever they have for fame and money which itself is denigrating for the authenticity of the person to his self. It is his sole decision what he wants to become.

[@lateral1385]

I disagree.

[@KrakenWind]

@@lateral1385 So if you were a 'genius' you would just want everyone to tell you what you should be? Just because we are good at some things doesn't mean we want to do it.

[@jimhim585]

Cool solar seiko diver, good choice. Kind of an insider, in-the-know move.

[@amig0842]

How sad is to recognize myself in that boy

[@hamzaalikhan9932]

You’re not alone ❤❤❤

[@janomnia]

Yes, sounds like his father made many bad choices on his behalf.

[@nothingelse1520]

When I was a kid up till middle school I could glance at a map and then write down everything on a paper where ever country was on the map, by the time I was like 15 I lost the ability. Doh.

[@FroylanBaja]

Reminds us all of the phrase from Einstein Genuise was 1 percent talent and 99% ...."

[@iamrajthomas]

Dear @Newsthink thankyou for the amazing works you are doing. I would highly appreciate if you do a video on The Legend Sakuntala Devi. Thanks for reading. 💚

[@mrkewi1]

his father destroyed him

[@lee-fr8oo]

This is a exceptional profound story and extremely interesting I may write a poem about him 😊

[@dorianphilotheates3769]

I’ve a moron through most of my life; then, at age eighty-seven, I opened up a Greek grammar; suddenly, I transformed into a full-fledged imbecile, and now, twelve years on, I’m a raving lunatic.

[@evo2542]

Seems the father thought the talent came out of nowhere, and didn't realize the kid was essentially practicing the calculations in his head constantly, bringing him to the point where it may seem he's a wizard. Then as he grew, the practicing needed just didn't happen. Genius or not, you got to actually practice. I guess they thought it was a gift from God and nothing else.

[@aspiknf]

Sometimes it is a gift...like when you have child Chess prodigies who beat grandmaster adults and World Champion adults...those kids don't practice that much and they are just gifted. Their chess rankings improve well into adulthood.

[@DialDforDaytona]

Amazing

[@iamlegend3674]

I was a genius in Art when I was a kid. I vividly remember drawing realistic horses when I was 7 years old but domestic violence at home destroyed all that. I don't regret anything but just wondered what could have been.

[@eduardovalle7268]

You do better Cuz you loved it more , but that love has to be protected , if thoughts corrupt your mind that decline in focus Will be noticed by you and then a negative spiral forms, genius is all about study something having literally nothing in your head but Desire for the longest period of time. My bet would be your parents fucked you.When you show them your drawing did their reaction make you happier than before or the reverse man?

[@rswow]

I understand.

[@TasZ06]

Please start drawing whatever comes to your mind, AGAIN. Just a request from a stranger on the same planet. Please do.

[@brandonmcclain9988]

What if it's hidden? The trauma was done to you but the genius came from within you. Maybe the expression of that genius was connected to a joy that you became afraid of expressing for fear of punishment from joyless people that were envious of what you clearly had. Maybe starting it again could be part of the healing process and you'll be better than you think. Maybe you're better at more than you think. As UNCF said, a "mind is a terrible thing to waste." And intelligence is more fluid than you think ;).

[@timothysatyr6674]

Sounds like someone who experienced severe burnout and the skill loss that accompanies it

[@zxq_5]

Me last year going from gcses to A levels lmfao

[@Katzeblow]

I got an F on a level math and A* on A further mathematics, make that make sense

[@krit.6654]

@@Katzeblowain’t no way 😭😭😭

[@KryFuZe]

You did NOT just call Twitter "X" lmaooo

[@MurderMostFowl]

It’s so hard not to be cynical when observing that so many wealthy people were interested in promoting education back then simply because someone had potential, unlike today where the wealthy seem to think education should be privatized to protect their wealth

[@MyOnlyMaster]

I've always thought that genius is nothing but a state of mind, which is incredibly hard to achieve. As hard as breathing automatically while being aware of it. However, some people happen to be born with that state of mind and hence do not have to go through the hardships of achieving it, but a mind is not a carving on a stone; it changes and takes new form and hence one needs to keep directing the flow in a singular direction or the state of genius you were born with would be lost. I'm happy to have found this video because this indicates that I'm right and if that's the case then being a genius is possible even if you're not one.

[@ResearcherGhost]

Kinda wish his father never discovered his talent, there are father's that aren't prepared to have a child but in this case I think the times on which this happened were also part of the problem due to the past mentality, but I'm happy he didn't have a horrible life and eventually lived peacefully

[@BalHatase]

Not a genius, only a basic math calculating savant in his childhood, anyway I would like to know more about his life, interesting story.

[@BalHatase]

@Prodigious147 Very interesting, I guess history repeats!

[@BalHatase]

@Prodigious147 Indeed there should be a genetic advantage at work on that family, were they jewish or had jewish ancestry maybe? they tend to be very good at computing I think

[@BalHatase]

@Prodigious147 great, thanks for the info bro!

[@alphamineron]

Exactly… media still propagates the narrative of IQ scores and Math=genius when the truth couldn’t be further. This kid was just a calculator, even with numbers that’s not maths. These morons don’t even know what maths is and start calling someone a maths genius… Advanced Maths doesn’t even use numbers, it’s about reasoning skills

[@spicysphere]

​@@BalHatasebro i just want to ask how do you define a genius?

[@derekofbaltimore]

The problem is we are human adults are overly impressed by children's abilities. I can't do it and most people can't but then us "non experts" place this or that child into the category genius or prodigy. The real experts probably rejected him because all he was doing was arithmetic and math genius would require much MUCH more than that. Its like wanting your child to skip first grade just because you taught them multiplication tables. Its impressive as a five year old but barely foundational for regular adults not to mention experts Many true geniuses were picked up by mentors throughout history so I'm likely to side with the experts on this one

[@thisissoeasy]

Again, a wonderful documentary! Thank you...

[@Continuious]

If you don't use it, you lose it

[@jimparsons6803]

The mind is an interesting place indeed. I suspect that this fellow was a protégé. Such folk often display excellence in music, I've heard, but lose this gift as they reach and pass puberty. Many have learned so much in these early years and often retain enough to use this lucky happenstance later in life to earn their way. Geniuses happen after puberty, often about 20 or so. No one knows why. Sometimes an injury to the head will cause gifts to appear, or even a bout of Scarlet Fever, I've heard. I learned this in my High School Psychology course. This brings one to a society's reaction in that it wasn't that many centuries ago where you could easily get seriously burned at the stake for knowing how to read and write. Then there is the example of the Country of Uganda during the 70s where folks and families that were capable were asked to leave their property and leave that Country inside of 90 days. About 15 years later the bankers had had enough and that Country reversed its previous policies and asked for capable people and families to come to Uganda. Those bankers needed help.... A Historical pattern of sorts. Smarter bankers in the last frame of time. Brings to mind the recent Hollywood movie, 'The Big Short,' perhaps? Where the bankers of that movie weren't all that smart and often bankrupted their bank, but for the fact that Uncle bailed them out. In sum, a vast ongoing IQ test, or perhaps a charity? Things that can really make you go 'hmm?'

[@azad9294]

Considering how one of his nephew was named after him,you could say he had a happy and loving family even though they're separted for 13 years.

[@rolandwhittle8527]

I'm no genius but I have a thirst for knowledge but sadly I hate school but after my first job I did 5 O levels in evening classes in one year pass them. But as I couldn't get a decent job just did mundane jobs with no opportunities I lost interest in serious academia but still self taught myself. I'm in a somewhat more interesting job but I spend my time talking to other students that work with me learn about their interests. Sadly a lot of them don't seem too keen to go into further education I feel the same it's not worth it unless you find someone support you. So there must be millions of potential geniuses out there that are forgotten.

[@helengrives1546]

I don’t know what to say of it. As many bright young people die from babicide, hunger, war and ignorance. Having a gift is not enough. You need wisdom around you to make it blossom. Sometimes its best protected by not showing it. Work in silence.

[@deisoncoopen8767]

That’s sad 😢

[@ibrahimtarek7911]

This is what happens when you go to school it sucks out all your genius and intellectual uniqueness.

[@yukondeighton8075]

He was a prodigy, not a genius.

[@codelapiz]

I doubt he was telling anyone how many secounds they had lived. Probably memorized the number of secounds in 1 year and multiplied it by your age. Even if he did account for days since your birthday, he would not have accounted for time of birth or secound of birth

[@szybkibiznes]

the truth is that even genius can have problems with his emotions especially with bad parents

[@Carfeu]

So heartbreaking he was exploited by his father, poor kid

[@Controversial_Celebrity_Quotes]

I couldn't figure out how to make this moving picture box play, but I'm assuming this story is about me. First of all, I didn't lose my genius, I just misplaced it. Thirdly, when I do find it, I'll come back more smarter than ever.

[@alexokin6819]

I love how hiwoost gig was caled uh as troligst

[@joshuamurray9403]

So sad😢

[@eswyatt]

Should have been called "How a boy lost his savant".

[@xlostlovex]

He showed us that u cannot live in society being a genius, but u can if u are smart..

[@Brazao3]

One of the dumbest comments I've seen in a long time

[@xlostlovex]

@Brazao3 look at Joe biden

[@efrilyely5858]

A genius who was lack of resources. His parents did their best, but it was not enough.

[@elhoots]

He became a Circuit Rider. Let’s gooo

[@ShinzouKatsune]

Genius, talent, even rare skills are useless without those to share and appreciate or nurture them. Gotta have external factors to challenge oneself or be doomed to obscurity.

[@mrproblemsolvinggenius8114]

If his father let professor take him to educate him or even the guy that offered him to help him he would have had better outer and be able to take care of his father in the future and return to his mother and family

[@Pavankumar96483]

his father destroyed his life

[@scarbo2229]

His calculations slowed down when he started attending school. Not surprising, public school ruined another natural genius.

[@hydrolito]

Unless his extra fingers caused problems they should not have been removed.

[@mentallydisturbedscience8900]

I had a nephew that was born with 6 fingers on each hand. However, his fingers looked like little sausages and dangled by a tiny bit of skin. They weren’t functional, and were likely to get caught on something, which could have been hazardous to him. They were removed when he was still an infant.

[@alphamineron]

If this is the definition of “genius” for y’all then you must meet my TI-84 lmao

[@Humon66]

The pathetic father tried to use him as a simple tool. No wonder why the son lost his gift.

[@hvrtguys]

I lost all of my amazing abilities 60 seconds after I was born.

[@namangupta2228]

At @6.25 there are modern yachts in the image???

[@hakunoraku]

He must have abused the cough syrup and took alcohol medicinally!

[@nekosaiyajin8529]

So, basically me as a burn out gifted kid

[@xToTaLBoReDoMx]

calling it X instead of twitter gave me severe whiplash

[@hanskraut2018]

Many intelligences not just calculating/calculator like skills

[@NoName-zm1ks]

In today’s world his dad would have been arrested, tried, and convicted.

[@lexiZero-w7n]

Stress an malnutrition, an a slow growing inferiority complex.

[@mikevanderman2727]

How does the brain really works, what are its limits, is there a genius switch in there that is located can unlock windows to the impossible?

[@mohhamedakmal3807]

Please make a video about VANGUARD mutual fund company

[@IdeationGeek]

I had a near-eidetic episodic memory as a kid, it helped a lot. I probably could trigger it even today, but nowadays I tend to rely on semantic memory.