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In today’s world, within most circles of influence, the dyslexic mind is known for its out-the-box, problem-solving thinking style. What is this? And what do all past famous dyslexic people and all current dyslexics share?
How Many Famous Dyslexics Do You Know?
Every dyslexic mind can drop into an unconscious imaginative state, whether it be briefly or for prolonged periods of time. Again, the Mind’s Eye is what views the imagination and seeks meaning of what is sensed. When meaning is not obvious and the threshold for confusion or stress or curiosity is exceeded, the Mind’s Eye often will take over and is always looking for three-dimensional (3-D) meaning. When I say the Mind’s Eye, I’m really referring to a composite composed of the input of all five senses (sight, touch, sound, taste, and smell). The variety of sensory input to the Mind’s Eye can be altered, distorted, rearranged to come up with an out-of-the-box solution for a complex or a simple problem.
When the child “Goes to The Spot”, the dyslexic mind now has a tool to correct and stabilize the child’s perceptions when reading and doing other academic endeavors. In the 3-D endeavors of real life, the Mind’s Eye can literally take over and improve a skillset or solve a problem in very creative ways without the dyslexic mind being conscious of what is happening or has just happened – e.g., looking at a pile of things on the ground, and then automatically putting them in the back of car in a way that maximizes the use of space. This type of unconscious thinking or behavior has happened to most people, whether they are dyslexic or not. Just about anyone who has driven a car has had the experience of driving home from work; parking the car and shutting the engine off, and not remembering a single turn or event that took place during the 30-minute drive home. It’s that kind of unconscious imaginative state that a dyslexic mind will naturally move into because of curiosity, confusion, and/or stress. In fact, over the years, I’ve had less than a handful of students tell their parents, on their initial visit with me, that they want to read better and, in the next breath say, but I do not want to lose the way I think. So, there are a few dyslexic people who are aware of this unique problem-solving ability or creative imaginative thinking style.
Albert Einstein
Personally, I believe Albert Einstein, the great physicist, was one of those who ingeniously maximized the use of his Mind’s Eye. He said, “The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination.” According to scientific folklore, in 1905 Einstein formulated the equation E= MC2, which could explain how energy can be released from the stars and eventually nuclear explosions. His black hole theory of general relativity was published in 1915 and only just recently (2019) was it proven by today’s scientists!
Thomas Edison
Imagination is one key component to the genius of the dyslexic’s mind. Another key ingredient is persistence coupled with perseverance. In Edison’s pursuit of inventing the incandescent light bulb he stated, “I have not failed. I have just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” Amazingly, in his 84-year lifespan he acquired a record 1093 patents either singly or jointly. He made inventions utilizing both the Mind’s Eye and Mind’s Ear. Among his plethora of inventions was one of the first motion picture cameras and the first phonograph.
General George S. Patton
General Patton went into every battle with a strategy. However, where the General was brilliant was in his adjustments during the battle. I submit he was able to use his Mind’s Eye and seemingly see the whole battle as it was unfolding. Thus, enabling Patton to alter and change an attack to penetrate the enemy’s weaker positions while seldom having to slug it out with the enemy. Remarkably, Patton’s 3 years of WWII maneuvers throughout Africa, Italy and European campaigns marked a timeframe where the world witnessed one of the greatest military achievements in modern warfare. His army of 250,000 men captured or liberated 81,000 mi.² of occupied territory, the approximate equivalent of the size of France. His army killed or wounded over 500,000 Germans and captured over 1,250,000 prisoners. An incredible feat which makes Patton one of history’s all-time greatest generals ever. (Michael J. Stillman, PhD. General Patton’s Timeless Leadership Principles: Your Practical Guide For a Successful Career and Life. Sept 1, 1998.)
Henry Ford
Mr. Ford was an innovator and engineer. He made the first automobile in 1896, the Model T. Then, frustrated by the slow automobile building process, Ford’s Mind’s Eye pictured the first assembly-line enabling mass production of the automobile. A concept still used today in the automobile industry as well as numerous other industries. As a hands-on innovator & entrepreneur, Ford relied on his intuition, possibly too much when it resulted in competition taking away a significant share of the automobile market. Ford’s next significant automobile innovation was the Model A, which again was surpassed by competition after a year or so of Ford’s domination of the market. Outspokenly against war when the United States was attacked by Japan, Ford’s factories were retooled and mass-produced airplanes, tanks, and other military vehicles. As an entrepreneur, Ford knew his weaknesses for which he delegated and often sought advice from experts in other fields including his friend, Thomas Edison.
Our Literate and Imaginative Workforce
Since the Industrial Revolution, world societies have become more and more dependent upon a literate workforce. However, since 1965 in the United States, our country has seen a steady decline in our reading and writing skills. (https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED252565.pdf.1983; …And… https://theweek.com/articles/875253/unsurprising-decline-childhood-literacy-america 2019)
Moreover, the dyslexic mind has been left behind for the better part of a century and has struggled mightily with shame and embarrassment issues due to the diminished capacity to read and write like their peers. Ford, Patton, Edison, Einstein and just about all the other famous dyslexics are the exception to the rule, not the norm. It is my estimate that less than 7% of today’s dyslexic population unconsciously learn how to read by mastering the three parts of any word, especially abstract words. Unfortunately, this absence of brain brilliance cannot be measured; however, it’s detrimental effects to society are quite burdensome when you look at the cost of illiteracy, dyslexic mental health issues, penal system population costs, and other Dyslexia related societal expenditures.
The world needs the dyslexic’s ever creative out-of-the-box thinking, imaginative mind now more than ever. The United States is facing a declining literacy in its workforce and impending issues and needs of the US require real solutions… and the sooner the better – e.g., air and water pollution, climate change, alternative sources of energy, overpopulation. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is not the answer to this situation. AI cannot imagine and intuit, and bring forth the unknown to be known, as the educated and resourceful human mind can.
The genius of the Mind’s Eye cannot be controlled. However, with self-discipline and a reduction in the stress of learning, your child can discover their own dyslexic gift(s). The character traits of imagination, perseverance, persistence, strategy, and humility (recognizing one’s weaknesses) can be a part of your child’s character. However, it will take self-discipline and the desire to develop these traits within each dyslexic child. Your child has a gift(s), but it’s up to them to develop it. Your job as parents is to help your child find their passion and pursue it at all costs. That said, once “Go to The Spot” and all the abstract words have been mastered, your child will be able to read with their peers and be able to compete academically with them. If you feed their passion(s), the effect will be stimulated curiosity, the desire to overcome increased stress and the resulting confusion, until their passions literally push your child to become whoever they are.
Curiosity yes, that is always a leader of new thoughts and actions. Who would’ve ever thought that confusion and stress could be the challenge that becomes the dyslexic child’s compatriot in achieving success going forward?
(Bill Allen 2020)
Learn to Read, so you can Read to Learn.™
References:
(Michael J. Stillman, PhD. General Patton’s Timeless Leadership Principles: Your Practical Guide For a Successful Career and Life. Sept 1, 1998.)
https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED252565.pdf McGeever, The Decline of Standardized Test Scores in the United States from 1965 to the Present [Oct. 1983, ERIC, dept of education (ED)].
https://theweek.com/articles/875253/unsurprising-decline-childhood-literacy-america Matthew Walther. The unsurprising decline of childhood literacy in America. Oct 31, 2019.