Posted on 12/29/2009 6:51:08 PM PST by Lonesome in Massachussets
In 1988, the film “Rain Man,” about an autistic savant played by Dustin Hoffman, shed a humane light on the travails of autism while revealing the extraordinary powers of memory that a small number of otherwise mentally disabled people possess, ostensibly as a side effect of their disability.
The film won four Oscars, including best picture, best actor and, for Barry Morrow and Ronald Bass, best original screenplay. But it never would have been made if Mr. Morrow had not had a chance meeting with Kim Peek, who inspired him to write the film.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
Saw a number of TV shows on Mr. Peek. To hear him speak and answer questions posed by an audience was akin to hearing a computer talk.
A fascinating guy. I never knew the details of this character. Much better than the movie version.
Yes, indeed, and they even linked to the documentary about him called “The Real Rain Man” on YouTube. It’s well done (I’ve watched the first segment so far). Thanks for the post.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2T45r5G3kA
The interesting thing is, if self styled bioethicists like Professor Singer had their way, he would have been euthanized as an infant, his was a Lebensunwertes Leben. I think the girl at Oxford came as close as anyone to asking him if he agreed.
I just learned of Kim’s death while searching for information on savants via google; his death is very sad.
My heart goes out to his father, friends and family. 58 is too young.
God Bless Kim his family and friends.
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