YouTube - Meet the smartest man in America - Christopher Langan »
Posted By not2needy 5 months, 3 weeks ago in FamilyNovember 15th, 2006 - Out in the middle of rural Missouri, there's a man who may be a world record-holder, but you'd never know it. News 4's Ray Preston took...
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not2needy
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I am a Christian, Wife, Mother of one son, Liberal, and retired social worker. I enjoy my computer, gardening, reading, cooking and ...
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CRYMTYPHON5 months, 3 weeks ago
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He had oportunities;
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but something always went wrong.
His mother did not sign the scholarship form;
later he couldn't get the dean to change his schedule when he didn't have a ride.
Small things, that even an average person would get around.
It is called 'functional literacy', - and it is as nessessary to success as a high IQ.
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GWHayduke5 months, 3 weeks ago
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Asked about creationism, Langan has said:
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"I believe in the theory of evolution, but I believe as well in the allegorical truth of creation theory. In other words, I believe that evolution, including the principle of natural selection, is one of the tools used by God to create mankind. Mankind is then a participant in the creation of the universe itself, so that we have a closed loop. I believe that there is a level on which science and religious metaphor are mutually compatible."
Langan has said he does not belong to any religious denomination, explaining that he "can't afford to let [his] logical approach to theology be prejudiced by religious dogma." He calls himself "a respecter of all faiths, among peoples everywhere.
I think he implies that intolerance is a reflection of ignorance.
We should all aspire to achieve such intelligence. -
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Spadecaller5 months, 3 weeks ago
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Thanks n2n.
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Interesting story.
We were once a nation that squandered resources and valued human beings; now we squander both. Although, now we are trying to learn how to conserve resources. Obviously, we need to change our values. This man's story seems to bring that point home for me.
I was, however, glad to hear that Obama has decided to put more funds into the arts. How desperately our nation needs to understand the value of things and without the arts, there is no true appreciation for the "why" behind the "how". -
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Bkumm5 months, 3 weeks ago
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He may have a high IQ, but according to some of the information on the web-site for his theory, he's sadly lacking in depth.
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For example, he maintains that intelligent design is, "explicitly scientific rather than theological in character". This may be literally true, but if so, it is staggering that anyone still thinks of it as a scientific theory. He goes on to note that, "it has thus been presented on the same basis as any other scientific hypothesis awaiting scientific confirmation." If this is so, we should note that very, very few biologists, geneticists or zoologists subscribe to ID. It simply is irresponsible to suggest that there is "design" in anything other than the inherently unintentional design of nature. Like so many intelligent people, Mr. Langan simply does not appear to have the depth of knowledge necessary to synthesize his theoretical leanings.
It's sad that a man of this potential was not able to obtain a good education.-
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fiftynine5 months, 3 weeks ago
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I agree with much of what you say,especially about education..But i disagree with your comment on intelligent design.
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I have never subscribed to that theory i have never subscribed to that theory (alone,but if you believe that both evolution and intelligent design can co exist then it is easier to see his point.
GOD,if you believe in one could have it any way he wants.Natural selection in one area and a designed species in another..I mean look at what we are able to do with genetics and DNA..isn't that intelligent design,and can't you accomplish that while still having faith that there is a GOD? -
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Spadecaller5 months, 3 weeks ago
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The video did not provide the means to an in depth explanation of his theories. To conclude that his intelligence is not commensurate with his knowledge is illogical.
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IN fact, he had exceeded the knowledge base of his teachers early on during his formal education and even described the difference between those that acquire unrelated facts and information and are yet incapable of deep thought or understanding of its value.
I was impressed with his live and let live attitude and his respect for others who believe differently. -
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Bkumm5 months, 3 weeks ago
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What's the problem, Spade? Are you negging my comment based on anything other than emotion? The man's thesis is simply unsupportable based upon the available evidence. I'm not saying that he's not extremely intelligent, I'm saying that he doesn't have the breadth of knowledge available to someone with a higher education. If he did, he would realize the ludicrousness of what he is saying.
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DarkWizard5 months, 3 weeks ago
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Whether his theories are right or wrong and regardless of his IQ, I believe he has the right to his beliefs/opinions just like everyone else.
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I find it interesting how environmental factors apparently molded Langan and influenced the direction/focus of his intelligence. -
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simonsez5 months, 3 weeks ago
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"It's sad that a man of this potential was not able to obtain a good education."
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He may have a better perspective without it. I'm thinking in terms of original thought and relationships that exist in the universe.
We still don't understand magnetism and there may be a bonanza of knowledge related to it that will take us far beyond our present capabilities. -
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reallypsst5 months, 3 weeks ago
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It was obvious to me this savant had some underlying hurt and therefore retreated from the mainstream circle of the rat race,its also possible he has some unbalanced brain function like many autistic children who are genius but have trouble interacting with people !
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joeblowe5 months, 3 weeks ago
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I will tell you all something that the author of this piece seems to have overlooked: There is HUGE difference between being "intelligent" and being SMART. This guy might be able to zip through an IQ test (which, as we should all know by now have some pretty serious limitations) but in some ways, I find him to be quite naive. I would think maybe the comment above regarding his ability, lack of, to analyze something IN DEPTH might hit close to the mark. In fact, this guys SEEMS to be something of an existentialist. And, although the guy with the camera was pleased to show us boards covered with - supposedly inexplicable - equations, I didn't really see or hear anything there that classified this fellow as a scientist. Looked more like he was trying to drape a cloth of "scientific" over an existential investigation. That road will come to a dead end.
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