Why are there so many dyslexic scientists?

  • Thread starter billiards
  • Start date
In summary: I don't know, but they make up a lot of the kids getting good grades.Most poor spellers are not dyslexic.
  • #36
Edit: ^^ Freaky timing.

NeoDevin said:
Why did they make dyslexia so hard to spell?

And what cruel git put an 's' in 'lisp'?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #37
Evo said:
It's uncanny that only "good" people had dyslexia, I don't see Hitler, Mussolini, Stalin, Nero, Attila The Hun, etc... named anywhere.

Britney Spears is there :rofl:
 
  • #38
mgb_phys said:
Same reason 'lisp' is hard to say!

deslispia
 
  • #39
I'm not too surprised that Tom Cruise has dyslexia. He can't distinguish science from Scientology.
 
  • #40
lisab said:
I have a strange experience with spelling that might shed light on this.

When I was in college, like many physics students I was terribly pressed for time to get through all my physics homework. I found that if I turned off the "thought voice" as I was solving physics problems, I could work much faster. By "thought voice" I mean I wouldn't think in English (my native - well, only - language). No language in my head at all, just ideas. I thought this was pretty cool until I noticed my spelling just went to hell. I also found I would struggle to find words when talking.

After school I had the time to think using language again, and my spelling and verbal skills returned.

BTW, the people I've told this to usually just give my blank stares, so if this seems odd to you, I won't be surprised.

So maybe the scientists who think in ideas, not language, are the poor spellers...?

Good idea, it would make sense since you would be thinking as abstractly as possible - I've found it to work pretty well too. I can't make my "thought voice" shut the hell up long enough to let me sleep :rofl: Takes roughly an hour or 2 to get anywhere near drowsy...
 
  • #41
This thread reminds me of a classic spelling mistake I once found in a set of lecture notes - they left the 'f' out of 'doppler shift'.
 
  • #42
It's uncanny that only "good" people had dyslexia said:
Attila the Hun was a nomad from the steppe, I doubt his culture even had written language.
 
  • #43
Hi…

I have been a dyslexic for 63.5 years…during my career I worked my way to be an executive for several international companies. I have 3 technology patents for products I developed.

Being dyslexic I have often pondered the same question that being as follows:

(It's uncanny that only "good" people had dyslexia, I don't see Hitler, Mussolini, Stalin, Nero, Attila The Hun, etc... named anywhere.)

You have listed Andrew Jackson and Napoleon Bonaparte as one of the “good” people - read the true on unabridged history of their life’s and adventures – these were not “good” people a we define “good” people today. There are methods for determining if historical persons were dyslexics based their writings, behavior, and characteristics of their state of being human.

I believe the goal of identifying noteworthy cultural and historical personalities is demonstrate that people with dyslexia can rise above the common person and achieve great accomplishments. Thus, using those people as role models.

Hitler, Mussolini, Stalin, Nero, and Attila The Hun were psychopathic - sociopathic personalities. Maybe these aforementioned persons were dyslexics – people being dyslexics tend to be outside of the norm and loners and have difficulty in social situations. These aforementioned people were ridged in their thinking patterns most likely linear thinkers.

Dyslexics are holistic multi-dimensional thinkers and tend to have higher intelligence quotients than most people much like the famous people listed. No one knows the cause of dyslexia theories abound, it may be a regression in human evolution (pre-writing) hunter gather cultures or an advancement in human evolutions to next stage of development of the world in there abundance and peace for all humanity.

1 in 5 people have some form of dyslexia that would be about 20% of the populations – if dyslexia is an advancement in human evolution we are waiting for the 80% to catch up to us…

If it makes you feel better there are a lot of people in prison that have been diagnosed with dyslexia – but then again a lot of those people have above average I.Q.’s.
 
  • #44
You dug up an old thread JMNY and welcome to the forum.

Anyway it doesn't matter because some elements of dyslexia have not been mentioned here before.

Of course it's all a bit tentative but some work has been done to find out if dyslexia and other non standard behavior symptoms is correlated to the ability of visual thinking.

Just some links:

http://www.washingtonian.com/articles/health/1790.html [Broken]

Some pioneer work has been done in the Netherlands:

http://www.euronet.nl/~mjkbeeld/

but also:
http://www.grandin.com/inc/visual.thinking.html
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #45
I tolerate spelling and grammar mistakes from scientists. I read a chemistry book that had tons of them. I'm fine with that, they're not teaching grammar. In a grammar book that I read, I only found one mistake throughout the entire book. It's a common one; mistaking "their" for "they're".
If there were more than one or two, I'd reconsider reading it.
 
  • #46
Hi Andre…

Thank you for the information…I will check out the websites. I am currently working to collect and research as much information as I can on dyslexia.

“dyslexia and other non standard behavior symptoms is correlated to the ability of visual thinking”

I am very much of a visual thinker…researchers claim that some dyslexics can process up to 10,000 pictures a minute in their “Mind’s Eye”. I have images in my mind for abstract concepts.

My girlfriend and I watched the “Grandin” Movie a few weeks ago…it really hit home with me as I can relate to her thinking patterns.

As said one theory said that it maybe an evolutionary throw back to hunter gathers cultures before writing.

If dyslexics think in pictures (visual) it would be interesting to learn if that; for examples give their alphabet/writing styles of the Chinese or Japanese have any people with dyslexia or if we could learn if the Egyptian Hieroglyphs lend itself to dyslexia.

What I have read is the due to Right Brain vs Left Brain is that Asians tend to be Right Brain oriented due to their alphabet/writing styles and that people like us who use alphabet are right brain dominate. However, based on personal experiences at that of other people I am beginning to think that in dyslexic people have brains that is both right and left dominate. Dyslexia is the result of the person’s brain internal struggle to join the right and left brain halfs together to create a higher thinking human being
 
  • #47
Leroy Jenkens...

Thank you for your comments.

I agree grammar books should be perfect in content and grammar; otherwise, what is the point of their existence...

English Grammar Class was never one of my best subjects as there seem to be no mathematical or logical structure for all of the rules.

However, I wrote some very thought provoking and interesting term and thesis papers high school and college. As a result I graduated with a 4.0 GPA. In college my then wife was a grammar expert...she would review my papers before I submitted my work.

Depending on the situation now my word processor, myself (re-read my content several times), my girlfriend or secretaries check my grammar and edit my writings..

One thing I have learned about language grammar is that it is evolving ever change - what was considered bad grammar yesterday is acceptable today...

To me, grammar is less important than the message as long as it can be understood...
 
<h2>1. Why is dyslexia more common among scientists?</h2><p>There is no definitive answer to why dyslexia is more common among scientists. Some theories suggest that dyslexia may be linked to certain cognitive strengths that are beneficial in scientific fields, such as creativity, problem-solving skills, and the ability to think outside the box. Additionally, many dyslexic individuals develop strong compensatory strategies to overcome their challenges with reading and writing, which can also be valuable in scientific research.</p><h2>2. Are there any famous dyslexic scientists?</h2><p>Yes, there are many famous scientists who have dyslexia, including Albert Einstein, Thomas Edison, and Leonardo da Vinci. Dyslexia does not limit a person's potential for success in the field of science.</p><h2>3. Can dyslexia affect a scientist's ability to conduct research?</h2><p>Dyslexia can certainly present challenges in the field of science, particularly in tasks that involve reading and writing. However, many dyslexic scientists have found ways to overcome these challenges and excel in their research. Additionally, accommodations and support can be provided to help dyslexic scientists succeed in their work.</p><h2>4. How can dyslexia be an advantage in scientific research?</h2><p>Dyslexia can be an advantage in scientific research because it often leads to different ways of thinking and problem-solving. Dyslexic individuals may have a unique perspective and approach to research, which can lead to innovative ideas and breakthroughs. Additionally, dyslexia can also foster resilience and determination, qualities that are essential for success in the scientific field.</p><h2>5. Are there any resources or support for dyslexic scientists?</h2><p>Yes, there are various resources and support available for dyslexic scientists. Many universities and research institutions have accommodations and support services for individuals with dyslexia. There are also organizations and communities specifically for dyslexic scientists, where they can connect with others and share their experiences and strategies for success. Additionally, assistive technology and tools can also be helpful for dyslexic scientists in their research and work.</p>

1. Why is dyslexia more common among scientists?

There is no definitive answer to why dyslexia is more common among scientists. Some theories suggest that dyslexia may be linked to certain cognitive strengths that are beneficial in scientific fields, such as creativity, problem-solving skills, and the ability to think outside the box. Additionally, many dyslexic individuals develop strong compensatory strategies to overcome their challenges with reading and writing, which can also be valuable in scientific research.

2. Are there any famous dyslexic scientists?

Yes, there are many famous scientists who have dyslexia, including Albert Einstein, Thomas Edison, and Leonardo da Vinci. Dyslexia does not limit a person's potential for success in the field of science.

3. Can dyslexia affect a scientist's ability to conduct research?

Dyslexia can certainly present challenges in the field of science, particularly in tasks that involve reading and writing. However, many dyslexic scientists have found ways to overcome these challenges and excel in their research. Additionally, accommodations and support can be provided to help dyslexic scientists succeed in their work.

4. How can dyslexia be an advantage in scientific research?

Dyslexia can be an advantage in scientific research because it often leads to different ways of thinking and problem-solving. Dyslexic individuals may have a unique perspective and approach to research, which can lead to innovative ideas and breakthroughs. Additionally, dyslexia can also foster resilience and determination, qualities that are essential for success in the scientific field.

5. Are there any resources or support for dyslexic scientists?

Yes, there are various resources and support available for dyslexic scientists. Many universities and research institutions have accommodations and support services for individuals with dyslexia. There are also organizations and communities specifically for dyslexic scientists, where they can connect with others and share their experiences and strategies for success. Additionally, assistive technology and tools can also be helpful for dyslexic scientists in their research and work.

Similar threads

  • Other Physics Topics
Replies
11
Views
3K
Replies
8
Views
997
Replies
13
Views
2K
Replies
14
Views
453
  • General Discussion
2
Replies
51
Views
4K
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • General Discussion
Replies
21
Views
2K
  • General Discussion
Replies
28
Views
3K
Replies
15
Views
1K
  • Art, Music, History, and Linguistics
Replies
1
Views
1K
Back
Top