What can we learn from the Rain Man?
- Kim Peek (right): savant & genius
Kim Peek died on 19 December 2009. Who was he? The inspiration and model for the film the Rain Man. Starring Dustin Hoffman, it won four Oscars.
At one level Kim was a savant. He could not walk until he was four. But he began reading newspapers and books when he was two. He was looked after by his father until he died at the age of 58. The picture shows him on stage with his father.
At another level he had a photographic memory. He memorised 12, 000 books. He could recite the entire bible at the age of six. He was rated a genius by several universities, in some fifteen subjects.
What does his story tell us?
Be careful how you judge people
Kim and his father toured several colleges and prisons. They handed out a card. It said:
“Learning to recognise and to respect differences in others, and treating them like you want them to treat you, will bring the joy we all hope for.”
Left and right brain
Peek had a brain condition. This did not filter information between the left and right hemispheres of the brain. The left brain is the analysis and facts bit; the right brain is the softer people side. Essentially his brain was a human database, able to hold masses of information in his head. You need both left and right brain approaches to succeed.
Marketing
Peek only became recognised after the firm Rain Man in 1988. But he did not receive any money from its success. Perhaps his father didn’t want too much publicity. Perhaps he was not newsworthy. But Peek was unique. These days with youtube, twitter and social networks, it could be very different.
Picture by rust.bucket
[...] can be deceptive. A previous post on the Rain Man also reminds us to be careful how we judge [...]
Dangerous dogs, books and Tyson « Mike Barnato
March 25, 2010 at 11:05 am
Too true. My husband is asst director for the Cerebral Palsy Ctr of the Bay Area. I have learned over time that there are PEOPLE with disabilities, rather than DISABLED people. It’s a subtle yet powerful distinction. Their spirits and personalities are fully intact and beautiful. They just can’t work their bodies as many others of us do. Thanks for writing.
maureen barnato
May 8, 2010 at 5:42 pm
Thanks Maureen for this powerful comment
Mike Barnato
May 8, 2010 at 7:01 pm
[...] best campervan on the market and the highest security classification. And she gets her man! The Rain Man was brilliant, despite appearances to the [...]
Talent Management: Why appearance is deceptive « Mike Barnato
November 17, 2011 at 5:35 pm