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"The 12-year-old taught himself calculus, algebra and geometry in two weeks, and can solve up to 200 numbers of Pi." and "Autistic boy,12, with higher IQ than E

by diiq 16y ago

"The 12-year-old taught himself calculus, algebra and geometry in two weeks, and can solve up to 200 numbers of Pi." and "Autistic boy,12, with higher IQ than Einstein develops his own theory of relativity." Ignoring the bizarreness of some of those claims ("solving numbers" for "memorizing digits") and the irrelevance of others (IQ?) what's hellish is that there is no mention of what he actually thinks. The world is astonished that he has an opinion; no one cares what it is. Reporters make a big deal of having no idea what he's saying; that speaks poorly both of the reporter and the theoretician. It'll be news when he polishes his thoughts and explains them to someone who is willing to try to understand. For now its a circus, and that's no good for anyone.

donnyg107 16y ago
If he makes himself, he'll be big. If he's pushed into the spotlight and commanded "make math!" by professors and societies, he'll never be more than a cool gem we found that makes some interesting patterns when the light hits it just right. I doubt the kid doesn't like the attention, but he has to be treated like a mathematician who may be credited by way of his accomplishments, not accomplished by way of his credit.
physcab 16y ago
I agree with you for the most part, but consider for a moment that few people will never understand the type of math he explains. For most people, what he says sounds like gibberish. I know my math pretty well, and while my interest was piqued by the outlandish title, I was even more impressed by the boy's ability to explain these concepts so clearly while writing the proofs at the same time. That shows deep understanding. You may think that this "circus" doesn't do anyone any good, but I disagree. He will get far more attention than he otherwise would have. And I bet there will be someone who will hear about his story in the press with the right patience to develop his mind to the genius it has the potential to be.

by diiq 16y ago

donnyg107 16y ago

If he makes himself, he'll be big. If he's pushed into the spotlight and commanded "make math!" by professors and societies, he'll never be more than a cool gem we found that makes some interesting patterns when the light hits it just right. I doubt the kid doesn't like the attention, but he has to be treated like a mathematician who may be credited by way of his accomplishments, not accomplished by way of his credit.

physcab 16y ago

I agree with you for the most part, but consider for a moment that few people will never understand the type of math he explains. For most people, what he says sounds like gibberish. I know my math pretty well, and while my interest was piqued by the outlandish title, I was even more impressed by the boy's ability to explain these concepts so clearly while writing the proofs at the same time. That shows deep understanding. You may think that this "circus" doesn't do anyone any good, but I disagree. He will get far more attention than he otherwise would have. And I bet there will be someone who will hear about his story in the press with the right patience to develop his mind to the genius it has the potential to be.