I know that he was one of the greatest prodigies of his time (died in 1944). I also know that his mind was trained from an early age. Could it be possible that other people who start later can at least come close to his accomplishments?
2007-01-14 11:20:15 · 6 answers · asked by The Postulator 5 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Mathematics
William James Sidis (April 1, 1898 – July 17, 1944) was an American child prodigy with exceptional mathematical and linguistic abilities. He initially became famous for his precociousness, and later for his eccentricity and withdrawal from the public eye. He avoided mathematics entirely in later life, writing on various other subjects under a number of different pseudonyms.
2007-01-18 18:18:36 · answer #1 · answered by Presto 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
One of the great mysteries in education is why some children excel and others flounder. There is some research that shows that some prodigies suffered oxygen deprivation to the left hemisphere of the brain during birth. The brain compensates for the damaged tissue by ramping up the functions in the right hemisphere, giving these children what appear to be super powers.
But really, the thing that makes a prodigy is practice. Mozart was believed to be a natural genius, but it turns out that his father made him practice day in and day out. Just about anyone can appear to have a magical talent if that's all they do 12 hours a day.
Want to be smart? Read books by smart people. Try one of the under appreciated smart guys in recent history, he has a very similar name to the guy you mentioned -- William James, not to be confused with his brother the fiction writer.
2007-01-22 18:20:04 · answer #2 · answered by luck d 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
HEY YOU'RE GREATER THAN WILLIAM JAMES SIDIS
so you weren't groomed to be a prodigy from early childhood but by making an effort to emulate greatness without being conditioned and forced to learn by parentage, you have shown the superiority of your own intelect via conciously and knowlingly choosing greatness. and hey einstein learnt to read at 10. i'm sure you've got a head start on him ;) go for it!!! good luck
2007-01-21 15:23:05 · answer #3 · answered by gaindi 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Majority of these young prodigies are born with specific talent and normal people are rarely able to emulate their achievements. Most, however, died in their teens though :-(
2007-01-20 03:27:34 · answer #4 · answered by ben2938 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Here's the Wiki on Mr.Sidis:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_James_Sidis
It seems unlikely that it would be in any way attractive to "emulate his achievements", since his precociousness seems to have made him rather miserable...
2007-01-14 19:28:22 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try wikkepedia!!!!!!
2007-01-22 16:53:17 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋