Genius at work

[Carl East]

When is a genius classified as a genius? I mean is it the IQ that classifies someone as a genius, or is it the actions/theories that a genius comes up with?

I remember seeing a program once on tv, that informed me for every xx amount of people that came into this world there was a genius born.

Incidently that program I mentioned centred on a twelve year old, who had to be placed in a special school because he was more intelligent than the teachers. lol

Carl

 

[Guest]

Hello Carl - This is my first post - hope everything works! lol -
I think to be classified genius today (at least by Mensa) you must be in the top 2% of the population. IQ tests vary, so that score could range from 137 and up. In gifted classs in public schools today, kids need at least a 127.
Like you, however, I think genius should be determined by more than a simple score - I know a lot of truly bizarre "smart" people out there . . .

 

[Carl East]

Hello Carl - This is my first post - hope everything works! lol -
I think to be classified genius today (at least by Mensa) you must be in the top 2% of the population. IQ tests vary, so that score could range from 137 and up. In gifted classs in public schools today, kids need at least a 127.
Like you, however, I think genius should be determined by more than a simple score - I know a lot of truly bizarre "smart" people out there . . .

Hi Sweet, and welcome to the board. I sometimes wonder when a person is classified a genius, has he/she gone on to contribute to society. I mean without looking it up on the net, could you name five geniuses from the last twenty years.

This is to welcome you.

Carl

 

[intrigued]

Hello, Carl. I believe its the latter option. Ofcourse the "potential" for "genius" is something one is born with. Unless it is fed, unless it is presented with stimuli, it lies dormant, much like most things in life. Its still there, but will never fully reach its capabilities if not provoked.


I am not the brightest bulb in the box, yet when my son was born, I was a single parent, and I knew there was something about him that was quite special. He was very advanced in his development and I worked hard with him to stimulate him artistically and creatively. I provided him with the tools for exploration and provided him with little more than the most basic concepts of "learning". He responded like a starved child. Ever since he started the third grade (he is about to enter the 8th) he has been in the MERIT program (Meaningful Educational Resources for the Intellectually Talented) and for the most part, barring the usual boredom with certain subjects and/or emotional issues, he has remained an A/B student, and often on the Honor Roll. Where he excels is in concepts and theories...to the point that he truly boggles the mind. He is extremely creative and writes fantasy stories that leave me in tears because they are so amazing. I sit and think, this is my child???
And then I realize, it has little to do with me, other than the fact that I provided him the tools and fed his passion with my own, the rest he did all by himself.
Had I not...well, who knows?

I hope you are happy with this "nothing" reply, I have sat here a very long time waiting for this page to load.

Hope you have a good day, Carl.

 

[Carl East]

Hope you have a good day, Carl.

Thank you Intrigued, I hope you do to. Your son sounds like a bright young man, what does he have planned for his future?



Carl

 

[Debbie]

Here is the link for MENSA
http://www.mensa.org/

 

[intrigued]

Oh, my....

Thank you Intrigued, I hope you do to. Your son sounds like a bright young man, what does he have planned for his future?



Carl

His last report two days ago was that he wants to be a scientist, an author, and a musician. I do believe he can do all three.

He is a wonderful young man, I am proud of him for many things.

 

[Guest]

Carl -

Thank you for the welcome! I would have to say that true genius potential is often overlooked in the public schools - they are not equipped to handle such children (and, I suppose, who is?) And I wonder if that stifles many of the budding great minds? Also, a lot of these brilliant folks head into research and development fields - we may never even know about them.
Like Intrigued, my children are gifted - my daughter unusually so - and we struggle to find ways for her to adjust socially (she's great with computers - but not with kids?) Ahh, well - her potential is limitless - if we don't mess her up!! lol

Sarah

 

[Debbie]

Carl -

Thank you for the welcome! I would have to say that true genius potential is often overlooked in the public schools - they are not equipped to handle such children (and, I suppose, who is?) And I wonder if that stifles many of the budding great minds? Also, a lot of these brilliant folks head into research and development fields - we may never even know about them.
Like Intrigued, my children are gifted - my daughter unusually so - and we struggle to find ways for her to adjust socially (she's great with computers - but not with kids?) Ahh, well - her potential is limitless - if we don't mess her up!! lol

Sarah

I have a son, who is considered 'bright', but by who's definition?
His school, teachers, other people?
He is 8, he is a methodical thinker, luckily he has my knack with a photographic memory, he is advanced for his age and has the reading age and comprehension of a 16 yr old. He does not know this. He is treated the same way as his older brother.
He talked at 4 months. Saying, "momma". Walked before he was one, etc etc. And has talked ever since. At 18 months he was able to make discernible sentences. Figure out complex puzzles, understand more than most children his own age...
He wants to be a policeman, a helicopter pilot, a weekend territorial, a search and rescue policeman, a police detective and on the weekend he wants to be in the army.
Is he a genius? No, not to me he isn't. He is an 8 yr old who has no idea of his full potential but he is confident and full of his dreams. He climbs trees, and does what other 8 yr olds do,
my son is at a school where your PB (personal best) is expected. Anything more is congratulated and acknowledged, no matter what your IQ is.
I want my son to do nothing other than his personal best.
Being a 'genius' or a 'gifted child' is a hard thing to live up to.
I am not naive at all. I want both my children to achieve the best they can. But at no expense to their emotional well being or childhood.
My point? Bright or not. Let kids be kids. Let them be their own guides as to their education and developmental well being.
I am not holding my son back nor pushing him forward, he is setting his own pace.

I want him to have friends his own age, be an 8 yr old, climb trees, kick balls, play bullrush etc and love his childhood. I will not push him or influence him in any way.
Maturity wise he is 8. Doing the stuff 8 yr olds do, educationally his mind is always busy with new ideas, inventions and questions. I answer his questions, to the best of my ability,(when I can, or use the internet to find answers) I encourage him to think beyond the 'circle', saying why? how do you think this works. Yet to me, he is a small sponge as is my oldest child.
A thirst for knowledge is a wonderful thing, to want to learn is a blessing; give them all that they can handle. For theirs is the ocean, beckoning them forth to more knowledge.

Do your best is our family motto. Nothing more, nothing less is expected.