Summary of The Sad Story of the Smartest Man Who Ever Lived
William James Sidis, born in 1898, was considered one of the smartest individuals with an IQ between 250 and 300.
He learned to read at a very young age and excelled in academics, attending Harvard at 11.
His parents attributed his intelligence to upbringing rather than genes, teaching him through reasoning and patterns.
Sidis excelled in languages, mathematics, and invented his own language.
Despite early success, he faced struggles in social situations and academia.
Sidis published a book challenging the Second Law of Thermodynamics but was overlooked.
He struggled with menial jobs, refusing opportunities that required intellectual work.
Sidis' health declined, and he died at 46 from a cerebral hemorrhage.
His life raises questions about the impact of early success and public scrutiny.
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Creators/Contributors
- William James Sidis
- Cindy Pom
Notable Quotes
— 01:49 — « No one had taught him; he had reasoned it out. »
— 04:12 — « I predict that young Sidis will be a great astronomical mathematician. »
— 06:14 — « His mother was furious and would tell people that her son left his studies because Harvard Law had to shut down due to World War I, which was not true. »
— 07:13 — « William’s unrequited love may have affected the trajectory of his life. »
— 07:41 — « She called him “the famous and tragic prodigy who was the first boy ever to pay court to me.” »
Category
Art and Creativity