It seems that many gifted people are on the edge mentally. Comedians are expected to crack up. Musicians also. Why not a maths genius or a sportsperson?

Years of observation have convinced me that very often giftedness is not a possibility considered in practice by education systems/ This has negative effects on individuals, including ental illness, and is bad for democracies that claim to give all an equal chance.

Sorry for the wow. I posted that comment for the Mummified Dino Uncovered. I don't know how it ended up here. Interesting clip!

LOL carrerinyes, I didn't see the 'wow', but I know what you're saying....I've seen comments in clips that were meant for another.....it happens to the best of us!

All three of my brothers were childhood geniuses.

Great clip. Had to share. From my play, on the joys of being "Gifted."

CANDY
What’s it like being gifted? Are you like, a genius or something?

JOEY
Oh, it’s really a lot of fun. I’m like really popular, and have so many friends because everyone loves you when you’re smart. It’s pretty much a dream life.

http://www.amazon.com/Gifted-Program-Ruben-Carbajal/dp/0822219573/

Back in the 80s when I was in high school, I was in the band, and a lot of my friends (musicians) would leave to go to the 'gifted' class. LOL I was bitter at the time for not being named one of the gifted.

It is a horrible life for most of these children. If you have ever read "Ender's Game", that is a pumped up version of how these kids are really treated in school and by society at large. Everyone wants to know "What can you do for me?" or "See, I told you they weren't that smart."
If you have a gifted child, hide them!

As one of those gifted/talented kids (35 years on), this article rings very painfully true. It doesn't matter how smart you test if you can't relate to the workings of the world like everyone else. I have spent most of my life crippled by my own lack of self-confidence and the inability to accomplish certain tasks with the speed that others seem to have.

@neochonetes Ah, an "Ender's Game" reference. Nice! Agree that if kids are essentially treated as though they are part of a freakshow, bad things are bound to happen. Ender had a pretty good run though...