Rain Man (Kim Peek), was the only savant known to science who could read 2 pages of a book simultaneously – one with each eye.

Did you know that Rain Man (Kim Peek), was the only savant known to science who could read 2 pages of a book simultaneously – one with each eye.

Rain man Kim peek

Neuroscientists who conducted tests discovered that he had no corpus callosum, the membrane that separates the two hemispheres of the brain and filters information. This meant that Peek’s brain was effectively the equivalent of a giant databank, giving him his photographic memory. He was also the only savant known to science who could read two pages of a book simultaneously – one with each eye, regardless of whether it was upside down or sideways on. His ability to retain 98 per cent of the information he absorbed led to his designation “mega-savant”‘.

After the release of Rain Man Peek and his father embarked on a series of public lecture tours, informing students, prisoners, pensioners and politicians of the need to treat all people equally. “Learning to recognise and to respect differences in others and treating them like you want them to treat you will bring the joy we all hope for”, read the card that was handed out at each talk. Fran Peek estimated that his son addressed more than two million people.

 

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Rain Man (Kim Peek), was the only savant known to science who could read 2 pages of a book simultaneously – one with each eye.