“Gifted” often just means “received enough calories, stimulation, and affection growing up that you developed to your full human capacity”.
It can’t be understated how many people are on the spectrum from neglected to abused, in a way that drastically inhibits development. But we rephrase this immiseration as “normal”, then treat the kids of wealthier parents as “special” because they hit basic human milestones, possibly while cultivating an unusual talent or hobby with abundant free time.
The gulf is real, but manufactured. And once you exit primary school, you get rebucketted into Normals and Specials again… and again and again and again.
That’s what drives people insane, more than anything. The constant fear of being outside the next wall. The fear of abuse and neglect that comes with it.
“Gifted” often just means “received enough calories, stimulation, and affection growing up that you developed to your full human capacity”.
It can’t be understated how many people are on the spectrum from neglected to abused, in a way that drastically inhibits development. But we rephrase this immiseration as “normal”, then treat the kids of wealthier parents as “special” because they hit basic human milestones, possibly while cultivating an unusual talent or hobby with abundant free time.
The gulf is real, but manufactured. And once you exit primary school, you get rebucketted into Normals and Specials again… and again and again and again.
That’s what drives people insane, more than anything. The constant fear of being outside the next wall. The fear of abuse and neglect that comes with it.