the real "rain man" has passed.

RACER X · 12-22-2009, 08:39 AM

http://www.sltrib.com/ci_14043625

I’ve just learned that Kim Peek, the savant that inspired the 1988 movie Rain Man, died on Saturday of a heart attack:

Peek was born on Nov. 11, 1951. At 9 months, doctors said he was severely mentally retarded.

"They told us we should institutionalize him because he would never walk or talk," Fran Peek said. "But we refused to do that."

By 16 months, Peek demonstrated extraordinary abilities. He could read and memorize entire volumes of information.

"He could find anything he wanted to. He read all of Shakespeare, the Old and New Testaments," Fran Peek said.

An MRI later showed that his brain lacked a corpus callosum — the connecting tissue between the left and right hemispheres. Peek said his son’s brain lacked the normal filtering system for receiving information. The condition left him able to retain nearly 98 percent of everything he read, heard or watched on television. The average person only retains about 45 percent.

As both a child and adult, Peek’s favorite place was the library, where he devoured books at a confounding rate. At the time of his death, Peek is believed to have committed at least 9,000 books to memory. He could recite so many gigabytes of facts that people often called him Kim-puter. NASA made him the subject of MRI-based research.

Particle Man · 12-22-2009, 08:42 AM

the chi · 12-22-2009, 10:34 AM

Aw, thats sad. I never saw the whole movie, but it brings home how special "special" people can be.

Sean · 12-22-2009, 10:35 AM

That's like me, except for the smart and can remember stuff part

Fleck750 · 12-22-2009, 05:30 PM

Not having the ability to filter would be almost painful.

Ineffable · 12-22-2009, 06:53 PM

That sucks, he was a pretty cool guy. I watched a 2 hour documentary on him and it was amazing what he had the ability to do. RIP.

12-22-2009, 08:39 AM	#1
RACER X AMA Supersport Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Richmond, Tx Moto: '10 Tuono Factory Posts: 4,569	the real "rain man" has passed. http://www.sltrib.com/ci_14043625 I’ve just learned that Kim Peek, the savant that inspired the 1988 movie Rain Man, died on Saturday of a heart attack: Peek was born on Nov. 11, 1951. At 9 months, doctors said he was severely mentally retarded. "They told us we should institutionalize him because he would never walk or talk," Fran Peek said. "But we refused to do that." By 16 months, Peek demonstrated extraordinary abilities. He could read and memorize entire volumes of information. "He could find anything he wanted to. He read all of Shakespeare, the Old and New Testaments," Fran Peek said. An MRI later showed that his brain lacked a corpus callosum — the connecting tissue between the left and right hemispheres. Peek said his son’s brain lacked the normal filtering system for receiving information. The condition left him able to retain nearly 98 percent of everything he read, heard or watched on television. The average person only retains about 45 percent. As both a child and adult, Peek’s favorite place was the library, where he devoured books at a confounding rate. At the time of his death, Peek is believed to have committed at least 9,000 books to memory. He could recite so many gigabytes of facts that people often called him Kim-puter. NASA made him the subject of MRI-based research. __________________ ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ 2014 GROM! 181cc of FURY 2010 Aprilia Tuono Factory - SOLD 2009 SFV Gladius - SOLD 2008 Hayabusa - SOLD.

12-22-2009, 08:42 AM	#2
Particle Man Custom User Title Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Central NY Moto: 2003 SV650S Posts: 14,959	__________________ I'm not "fat." I'm "Enlarged to show texture." Handle every stressful situation like a DOG: If you can't eat it or hump it, pi$$ on it & walk away.

12-22-2009, 05:30 PM	#5
Fleck750 Spiker bike Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: KCK Moto: KZ750 Posts: 1,629	Not having the ability to filter would be almost painful. __________________ I ride way too fast to worry about cholesterol. ~Author Unknown

12-22-2009, 10:35 AM	#4
Sean giggity Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: socal Moto: street, sumo & dirty Posts: 1,071	That's like me, except for the smart and can remember stuff part

12-22-2009, 06:53 PM	#6
Ineffable Kneedragger Join Date: May 2008 Location: Boulder CO Moto: 2009 KTM RC8 Posts: 166	That sucks, he was a pretty cool guy. I watched a 2 hour documentary on him and it was amazing what he had the ability to do. RIP.