Yes, and I would say my interactions around academic topics were pretty similar. I really loved hanging around University computer labs as a kid and young teena

Yes, and I would say my interactions around academic topics were pretty similar. I really loved hanging around University computer labs as a kid and young teenager, and that was no different at all when I got to Berkeley. And yes, I was pretty isolated from other kids. Part of that story is that I grew up in a very rural, mountainous area. Looking back, I wish I had had more of a peer group. I wanted to go to the Johns Hopkins gifted program, but I think my parents were reluctant to let their little boy go into the big bad world. I regret they didn't.