[Phys-l] Learning differences (was: Unit Conversions (was Mass and Energy))

["John Clement" <clement@hal-pc.org>]

Of course at this point in time it would probably be difficult to diagnose
any specific LD in Einstein.  The school record apparently does not show any
particular difficulty, but that is not definitive proof.  Dyslexia shows up
in reading in English speaking countries apparently because English is only
partly phonetic.  According to some research that I have read dyslexia is
practically unknown in Italian because it is so regularly phonetic.
Dyslexia can come in a whole variety of strengths and types.

In Italy dyslexia is almost unknown.  They did a test on Italians and found
that there is a significant percentage who show "hesitations" in reading.
Essentially the suspicion is that the number of dyslexics is the same across
cultures, but the structure of the language makes reading much less
difficult in Italy.  I have not looked at the same information on Germans,
but sometimes dyslexia can be hidden in some tasks and only show up in
others.

In the case of Einstein he probably had only the "normal" problems most
people have with the way the brain functions.  It is possible that ideas may
be generated in the right hemisphere, but because the connections between
the two hemispheres is very restricted, it takes a long time for the idea to
be verbalized.  Apparently there are some comments by him that he would get
an idea, but it would take him a long time before he could verbalize it.

There are some indications that dyslexia may enhance some abilities such as
3-D spatial visualization.  As such it may be helpful to people in the
sciences.  I do know of a few examples there.  Mild dyslexia may be
sometimes more helpful and not.

ADD does have an interesting compensation or problem in some people.  Many
ADD individuals can follow all of the conversations around them even while
talking to one person in front.  You literally can not talk behind their
backs.  As such this might be invaluable for spies.  It certainly can be a
survival tactic in hunting situations where you also might be hunted.

John M. Clement
Houston, TX

> Thank you.
>
> A myth propagated by the feel good fuzzy types, evidently.
>
> http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=114700
>
> http://www.audiblox2000.com/dyslexia_dyslexic/dyslexia005.htm
>
> bc, who has a recording of an author interview in which the claim was
> maid -- he must listen again carefully.
>
>
>
> John Denker wrote:
>
> > Bernard Cleyet wrote:
> >
> >
> > > Didn't Einstein have problems because was dyslexic?
> >
> > No.