Quote:
Originally Posted by Munchkin03
I don't think anyone is suggesting that mentally ill folks should not receive, or should be prevented from receiving, advanced degrees. Sometimes, when confronted with someone who is clearly mentally ill, people will say, "well, they have a Fillintheblank Degree so they must not really be crazy!" I think it happens in some communities more than others.
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Here is my take on it. I know many socially awkward people (some mentally ill, as well) who stay in school to avoid working with other people. Often they either become too stressed by human interactions or are extreme introverts. It is easier on them to dive into research and become experts in their field of study.
I remember one of my Calculus professors who was like this ("Dr. Tom"). He knew the material inside and out and often talked over our heads. Once in the middle of a problem. He stopped and stared at the board for 5 minutes without saying a word (we had a very small class and no one said a word - just shot glances an one another). Finally, he walked up to the board and placed his forehead on it, as if he was transmitting a signal between the chalkboard and his brain. Then, he turned around and just started lecturing again as if nothing happened.
Dr. Tom was also a concert pianist and never married. he lived at home with his parents and doubt he had any friends. The biggest kicker was during a final. Since several of his classes were small, he held all of the finals at the same time in an auditorium. About 15 minutes into the final, he sat down at the piano and started playing Beethovan's 5th. I think more than a few of us were freaked out.
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