h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Brain Haemorrhage Roulette...

that sounds excellente... and plenty of time to work up some cash for it.
(finally, a meet within reasonable distance! instead of 'easy to get to' Nodnol.)

Yeah, I know how you feel. Why can't they hold protest marches in Coventry?

I'm going with Anthea and Rachael. And perhaps my younger sister, since it's round about the same time as her birthday. Won't this be so cool? I'm guessing you live nearby?

I thank my lucky stars I'm not related directly to the Sidis family. Both the genius father and the über-genius son died of brain haemorrages before they reached 50. Nasty!

- Jordan

lovely lovely Concrete City.

I live just by N*n**ton but go to Derby Uni. So I am near enough to Alton Towers to see road signs for it.
(tho' Drayton Manor would be even more convenient.)

Who are the Sidis? (maths?)

Boris and Sarah Sidis were Jewish-American immigrants, escaping the growing anti-semitism in Germany. Boris already had a degree in mathematics that he finished with incredible speed, and he was awarded a PhD from Harvard without having to submit a thesis or a thesis defense (who had ulterior motives). Sarah was a nurse, but she gave up her job in order to look after their child, William James Sidis (named after the famous psychologist, whom the father greatly liked). The boy was intensely tutored from an early age, having alphabetical blocks suspended above his crib with which his father taught him to read by the time he was a year old. He was able to speak six languages by the time he was seven, and as an adult it was rumoured that he could speak most of the world's languages - and that he could learn a people's toungue in a day. He went to Harvard to study maths at 12, though he was ready at eight, where he presented a lecture on four dimensional bodies to the mathematical society there. However, he finished his life moving between menial occupations - he could no longer bear to calculate, though he was a mathematical prodigy - and researching the American Indians. His hobby was collecting street car transfers.

See http://www.sidis.org/ for more details. Apparently, his modern-day analogue is Kevin Kearney, though young Kevin is far more socially adept than poor Sidis.

Sorry, the lives of exceptional individuals is somewhat of a hobby.

- Jordan

do you feel sorry for them?

I'm not sure. Sidis seemed like a nice fellow, and certainly didn't deserve the treatment he received. I'd love to be able to do the things they could, but at what price? Whereas Kevin seems to be quite well-adjusted and happy with his life. If I saw Sidis, I'd just love to give him a big hug. Poor guy.

So kind of sorry. Do you?

- Jordan

About the same.
It often seems that these exceptional types suffer in some other way- dubious parents usually involved. Or maybe that's just the ones we hear about? it sometimes seems like we (society) cannot cope with above a certain level of intelligence (and likewise at the lower end); if they are exceptionally gifted however they should not be stuck with the same pace as the rest of us. I wonder to what extent they are exploited though.

I feel sorry for most people whom others have deemed not fit to be among them. (Because they are 'worse', or better.)

I had an extraordinary relative of some kind... apparently... they were 3 brothers, one of whom was great-grandfather and managed to become headmaster of the village school (considering the family were not rich, but he was educated, seems very fortunate) however the others were said to be equally or more intelligent, however at least one decided it was not for him and became a tramp. A proper one (i.e. strolling everywhere), and of his own free will.
I have days like that.
I hate mistrust of intelligence. It's natural I suppose but wilful misunderstanding often pervades.

Eaten by exams?

Yes, how did you know?

And debt is eating me too. I wrote something about it in my journal. But somehow, I will be going to Alton Towers, and I will enjoy it to the fullest.

1. Are you going to this excellent event?
2. How are you doing these days?

Answer in a maximum of 200 words, being careful to address the following issues...

Sorry, that happens from time to time.

It sure is nice to hear a friendly voice/read a friendly posting!

- Jordan

Aaaaah. Huggable...
well, I am now out of debt for the first time since last February, which is *very* welcome. I have tons of work to do, some paid some thankless, but I actually want to do it...
Have they set a date for the Towers? I am certainly planning to go. And not just for the company (although I always like to know what everyone looks like, so I can study them and go 'Hmmm,'), also the rollercoasters. I do enjoy being chucked about at high speed. (Although not in a car... those fools with the rollercoaster seatbelts cannot fool me!)
Are you wearing squeaky exam-shoes? how are you doing with the biscuits? has the omnipotence cleared up yet?

how've you been, chap?