Former child prodigies
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Anonymous
| Statistically only 10% of high-achieving child prodigies go on to reach the highest level as adults. Do you know any in real life and how are they doing as adults? |
Anonymous
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Because they seek meaningful work, and contributing to causes they value, instead of prioritizing money or prestige.
My high IQ husband has an MD and PhD, but instead of becoming a professor at a teaching hospital, like his mother wanted him to do, he went into research and has helped advanced the field of heart disease and oncology, from the research angle. My gifted cousin had a meandering path amid various doctorates and professional endeavors on several continents, before settling into her calling at a migrant aid NGO based in Europe, that works with North African refugees. My gifted teen has no clue what she wants to do and struggles to find meaning in life. She doesn't want to grind for money. I'm sure that like my husband and cousin, she will take some time to figure it out. |
Anonymous
| Sounds like they are just like the rest of the general population when isolated and looked at separately from the whole - mostly live a meaningful quiet life without fanfare. Only a fraction of the gifted will really do great things, and that's okay too. |
Anonymous
| She burned out at the end of HS. Moved to New Jersey, worked at a car dealership, got married, got two dogs, I think had a kid. She never went to college. She just got pushed too hard for too long. |
Anonymous
That sounds like a good number. What percent of non child prodigies reach the highest level as adults? |
Anonymous
| I know one. Got both a PhD and a law degree is an attorney in some specialized field pertaining to the PhD. Never had much of a life and still doesn’t seem to but does seem to enjoy their work. |
Anonymous
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I know two. Expected both of them to end up as tenured professors somewhere big.
One chose $$$ and was off to a great industry career but passed away from cancer in her 30s. The other, also a woman, married a few times to men who were even more extraordinary. All of those guys prioritized their careers and weren’t interested in supporting the wife’s achievements, so she was the perpetual trailing spouse. She eventually ended up doing something she truly loves, although it’s not the most impressive sounding title. |
Anonymous
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How are you defining “highest level”?
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Anonymous
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OP is mangling this confused article, which says that intensive early prep can't replace natural talent, but doesn't distinguish between natural talent and intensive prep at a young age.
https://www.newscientist.com/article/2509261-high-achieving-adults-rarely-began-as-child-prodigies/ |
Anonymous
| I can't find him online so no idea what happened, but I have a guess. Before 18 he had multiple grammy awards and was a PhD in one of the most famous labs at MIT with me. He didn't play well with others... |
Anonymous
| I know one - the child of an old friend. He entered university around age 10 and earned dual degrees in applied math and computer science. Started a PhD program at a major university but didn't complete it. Started another PhD program at a different university but didn't complete it. He has worked all over the world at various technology think tanks. I do not think he's a failure in any way, but I suspect a rigid school program might be too restrictive for someone so highly intelligent. |
Anonymous
| Ones I know are doing much better than average people but did not do expected extraordinary. By 20 they saw value of balance between work and life and stopped seeking external validation for feeling good about themselves. |
Anonymous
| I know one; unfortunately, they had a mental breakdown very young after some impressive achievements. |
Anonymous
Sadly, some schizophrenics start out as prodigies. I don't know why, but sometimes very gifted people become crippled by the disease after puberty. |
Anonymous
| They get locked out by people people |