Mr. Russian Smarty Pants rejects $1 million dollar prize.
- Thread starter Morphine
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The money has already been promised to a charity, but one of the conditions to 'win' the prize hasn't been met (it's got to be written in a journal or something like that) which he is not likely to do at any point in the near future.
Despite the fact that there's a Russian charity not getting it's $1 000 000, it makes me a little happy that people like this still exist. Eccentric intellectuals. I thought that they had been consigned to fiction.
It reminds me a little of the documentary Encounters at the End of the World, which is about the people who live and work in Antarctica. Well the world's foremost expert on penguins lives about a hundred feet from one of the largest colonies in all of Antarctica, and has basically been there alone for six years. He publishes research and papers via satellite, but when the documentary crew went to ask him questions, it's like he had forgotten how to be a human, or how to talk to people at all.
Despite the fact that there's a Russian charity not getting it's $1 000 000, it makes me a little happy that people like this still exist. Eccentric intellectuals. I thought that they had been consigned to fiction.
It reminds me a little of the documentary Encounters at the End of the World, which is about the people who live and work in Antarctica. Well the world's foremost expert on penguins lives about a hundred feet from one of the largest colonies in all of Antarctica, and has basically been there alone for six years. He publishes research and papers via satellite, but when the documentary crew went to ask him questions, it's like he had forgotten how to be a human, or how to talk to people at all.
Then calling them genuises isn't entirely accurate. Savant is a word that fits better.
A
Andromache
Ah yes, internet Armchair Dr. Expert's opinion.
Often such brilliance comes with a trade-off. They're mentioned as eccentric, or even anti-social. That tells me that they've used their brilliance to hone their talents rather than learning the many complexities of social graces, communication, people skills, and politics. They've achieved a prodigious degree of proficiency in their respective field to the exclusion of any other subject. So describing them as "savants" rather than "genuises" seems fitting, at least to my perspective.
Barring anything else I've said, describing them as savants is a matter of personal preference.
Ah yes, internet Armchair Dr. Expert's opinion.[/QUOTE]
I'm not always correct in my estimations and I'll try my best to listen to others - even if I don't like what I'm hearing, but I respectfully request that you at least allow me a chance to explain myself before you judge me in such an insolent manner.
K
Kitty Sinatra
Even though you have described these people accurately, I believe you don't understand what the word savant means: "a person of profound or extensive learning; learned scholar."
Yes, you're correct. My use of "savant" alludes to the informal mental diagnosis; savant syndrome.
Savant syndrome only applies when it's a person who is normally incapable of even simple tasks displays prodigious and genius level ability on a certain subject. Like that young man who can play any song he's ever heard, then play it in any style - but cannot converse or even dress or clean himself.
These individuals are apparently functional (the penguin expert is debatable - isolation can often provoke mental instability. While he probably was functional, prolonged isolated may have damaged him) and have unparalleled expertise. While the mathematician might have some problems I wouldn't call him a savant.
These individuals are apparently functional (the penguin expert is debatable - isolation can often provoke mental instability. While he probably was functional, prolonged isolated may have damaged him) and have unparalleled expertise. While the mathematician might have some problems I wouldn't call him a savant.
Then my use of "savant" to describe these folk is a loose analogy at best. It's still preferential to eccentric genius; a term that is overused IMO.
A
Andromache
Hie thee to a picture shooting establishment and reproduce that with robe, overstuffed chair, crackling fireplace, monocle, cigar, and brandy.
A
Andromache
see signature.
Hie thee to a picture shooting establishment and reproduce that with robe, overstuffed chair, crackling fireplace, monocle, cigar, and brandy.[/QUOTE]
How dare you mock me!
A
Andromache
well, it'sreally not that hard. I mean, after mocking ( and by mocking I mean boinking) your mom...
Lover of the Russian Queen!
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