Bits and Pieces

Friday, February 18, 2005

"A genius explains" on Guardian, sheds light on an autistic mind. Theory that the right brain takes over left brain's duties when it fails sounds incredible, which in turn explains why a person with remarkable processing abilities sees things the way he/she does.

Q | Tammet is calculating 377 multiplied by 795. Actually, he isn't "calculating": there is nothing conscious about what he is doing. He arrives at the answer instantly. Since his epileptic fit, he has been able to see numbers as shapes, colours and textures. The number two, for instance, is a motion, and five is a clap of thunder. "When I multiply numbers together, I see two shapes. The image starts to change and evolve, and a third shape emerges. That's the answer. It's mental imagery. It's like maths without having to think." | Q

Draws parallel with Bluejay^*, the music genius' words: "It just usually comes right the first time" [on why he never revises his compositions].

Also introduced to Kim Peek, "the real-life character who inspired 'Rain Man', who can read two pages simultaneously, one with each eye".

Stunning brain feats apart, the writing guides us on a short journey into Tammet's world.

posted by pradeep | Permalink | (5)

5 Comments:

unbelievable man.
maybe he could solve some famous mathematical puzzles.

By saranyan r, at 10:10 AM

He may have, already.

A school-time friend of mine (Anand) could multiply lengthy numbers, mentally, and answer. He says he uses Vedic Mathematics. Wonder why our system (India) fails to popularize this method.

By pradeep, at 11:49 AM

Orkut has a Vedic Math community. I had a friend who was very much into Vedic math too. Very interesting stuff.

By The Last Blogger, at 11:56 AM

Pradeep,
lots of interesting links in your blog. I will be visiting your blog more often.

When I was in school, one of our teachers used to tell us about certain vedic mathematics techniques. he taught us long division based on vedic math principles.

By Anonymous, at 3:29 PM

Thanks Ranga. Orkut group had few interesting posts.

Doi, Manoj! Thanks for your compliments and good to 'see' you here. Do you still remember vedic long-division? Were you taught Sutras (adhukkulla technical-a paesa aarambichuttaen paar) or just the method?

By pradeep, at 1:20 AM