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Kim Peek, aka Rain Man Focus of NASA Study

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the check-out-the-big-brain-on-brad dept.

Bob Vila's Hammer writes "Kim Peek - an autistic man who has been deemed a "mega-savant" for his astonishing knowledge of 15 grand subjects ranging from history and literature, geography and numbers, to sports, music and dates - is a part of a new NASA study to explore the changes in his brain since MRI images were originally taken in 1988. Not only was he the basis of the main character in the movie Rain Man, but he apparently is getting smarter in his specialty areas as he gets older. The study has scientists hoping that technology used to study the effects of space travel on the brain will help explain his mental capabilities."

10 of 366 comments (clear)

  1. The article missed something. by grub · · Score: 5, Funny


    But he also is severely limited in other ways, like not being able to find the silverware drawer at home or dressing himself.

    What's his /. UID?

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    1. Re:The article missed something. by Dr+Caleb · · Score: 4, Funny
      What's his /. UID?

      11606, why? (You knew that was coming as soon as you posted, right ;)

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    2. Re:The article missed something. by roman_mir · · Score: 5, Funny

      98. Definitely 98.

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  2. conspiracy theory 26 by Tablizer · · Score: 5, Funny

    Maybe NASA is too lazy to count stars in Hubble images for density studies, and hope this dude can do it in one shot.

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  3. Put this dude on Jeopardy!!! by sssmashy · · Score: 5, Funny

    Maybe he could give Ken a run for his money. Also, I'd love to see some "rain man" style banter with Alex as an alternative to the usual tepid small talk.

  4. I welcome by mboverload · · Score: 4, Funny

    I welcome our new autistic all-knowing overlords.

  5. Re:Goal by Timesprout · · Score: 5, Funny

    Dude, there is no spoon.

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  6. Yeah, by robpoe · · Score: 4, Funny

    Definately a waste of money. Big waste. yeah.

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  7. Re:They're both Mormon by Jon+Abbott · · Score: 5, Funny

    As another interesting side note, Ken Jennings answered a question (or is that questioned an answer) about Rain Man just a few shows ago... After answering he said "definitely, definitely."

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  8. Clarification by Snaller · · Score: 4, Funny

    Kim Peek - an autistic man who has been deemed a "mega-savant" for his astonishing knowledge of 15 grand subjects ranging from history and literature, geography and numbers, to sports, music and dates

    That's dates as in "When was Christopher Columbus born" not "Take me in your strong arms and make passionate love to me"?

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