Right wingers and "idiot savant" diagnosis.

[morningglory]

I work with an extreme republic, who is seemingly intelligent otherwise. I told her about a story I saw on the tv about a baseball player who was considered dumb when he was playing. When he retired from baseball, he took his $100k (or however much) retirement money and decided to buy stocks, did a little studying, became a brazillionaire, and is considered the premier stock-picker today. I love stories like that. She said "Idiot Savant" in a dismissive tone. My boss has 2 master's degrees. Same thing. I asked her if she had seen "Blind Side". Said she would like to see it, heard it was good, blah blah blah. I told her we bought the book and it had more stories in it than the film had time to include. Told her it was very good, and at the risk of ruining the book (impossible) I told her a story from the book about how Oher had never seen a discus. Never been to a track meet. He was in school all day and sat with a tutor every night for 4 hours without fail in order to meet the academic requirements so he could play high school football in the Spring. The track coach said he could not do the correct "twist" that would apply the torque to fling the discus correctly. His students could not get it. He bought a film to teach it. They still could not do it. It entails twisting the lower torso first then swinging the upper torso to slingshot the discus further. He invited Oher to come to the Saturday track meet just for fun and throw the discus. Just for the experience, since the poor kid was just studying his brains out every day. He stood in line at the track meet, first time ever seeing a discus, watched a few kids throw the discus (wrong), then stood up twisted like a greek olympian, flung the discus over the moon and set a Tennessee discus-throwing record. I said he was some kind of athletic genius. "Idiot Savant" she said. If I was an alien, I would think poor people who do something well are idiot savants. Republics who do something well, are well, gifted and deserving.

[Orrex]

1. Tell her that she's an idiot (without the savant part)

And tell her that I said so!

[Kookaburra]

2. I've noticed that republicans love to use that word "idiot"

At least the ones around me.

Transference maybe?

[miscsoc]

8. five letters, easy to pronounce and remember

they are idiots but i think to suggest they are engaging in transference implies a level of psychological sophistication that doesn't exist in the average republican dolt.

[Kookaburra]

13. Ah, unintentional transference

Kind of fits in with that whole 'idiot savant' thing.

[sharp_stick]

3. Unfortunately the baseball player

you mention, Lenny Dykstra, really is dumb and he successfully lost every penny. He even had to sell his '86 championship ring and trophy in the bankruptcy.

[morningglory]

9. Oh, I hate to hear that! One of my favorite stories: ruined! nt

[sharp_stick]

14. I know

I kind of feel bad for the guy, he received a bunch of really bad advice and leveraged himself into a heap of trouble. He's never claimed to be very bright but I always thought he was pretty genuine.

[madmom]

4. Sounds like she just learned a new word.

[miscsoc]

6. haha, yup

and she didn't bother to look up the definition before throwing it around, either :)

[miscsoc]

5. doesn't idiot savant mean someone who has a freakish skill in one area but is subnormal in others?

can't see how any of these people are idiot savants

[Kceres]

7. I've only heard it referred to in instances of autism or mental retardation. n/t

[Dappleganger]

10. Tell her she's 'special.'

Follow it up with a 'Well bless your heart!'

Works for me. ;)

[Mojeoux]

11. I love it! mmmmmmmmmm I hope I can remember that when I need it.

The "bless your heart," is the icing on the cake.

[Dappleganger]

12. It's called The Southern Slam.

At first you feel all warm and cozy, even loved. Someone said something nice to you, even winked her eye. Later as you walk away you realize that you've been made the brunt of a cruel joke.

;)