Cognitive Gifts

The guest of a member sat at the community table for lunch recently. “Dave” was quiet and unassuming but looked vaguely familiar. Near the end of the meal someone (not Dave) let it drop that he was none other than the “zip code guy.” Of course he looked familiar. Dave Rosdeitcher has been performing on the Pearl Street mall for decades. Give him any zip code (in U.S. or the overseas equivalent) and he will cite not only the place but describe it in greater detail than could the native who put it out there in the first place.

We are gathered to share and discuss and honor extraordinary feats of memory or other types of highly advanced cognitive skills. Dave attributed his ability to a life-long fascination with geography. Maybe. But as one who is fascinated by lunch I’d be hard pressed to recall what was on the menu two days ago.

To that point, the next level might be the Highly Superior Autobiographical Memory (HSAM), the ability to recall virtually every personal detail and the exact date of events of decades ago. This ability can’t be faked. Some of you might have watched the 60 Minutes segment featuring the actress Marilu Henner and equally gifted savants absolutely nail every detail, including the weather, of any otherwise-ordinary day in their lives.

What accounts for such abilities and would this seem to be a blessing or a curse? MRI scans suggest that an enlarged caudate nucleus in the brain’s basal ganglia plays some role but before one engages in caudate nucleus envy, consider whether the ready availability of every single life detail is the key to a happy existence. Perhaps the most coveted life skill set lies, not with perfect memory, but with forgettery.

And, then, seemingly indistinguishable from magic, is the so-called mentalist, an art form fusing various techniques to read minds. Oz Pearlman recently demonstrated this astounding ability (effect?) on the Joe Rogan show (beware of adult language). See who can offer any credible explanation of how he accomplished what he did in this nine-minute segment, though a quick via AI offers some clues (click: Oz Pearlman).

Perhaps we can identify, discuss, and honor individuals in possession of some extraordinary cognitive gift or special talent. How did such a gift affect their lives, whether positively or negatively?

Please note the following RSVP Policy for Member Monday: RSVP sign-up opens up at 11:00am on Fridays via the City Club weekly Newsletter. Seats are first-come, first-served: the first 14 secure a spot at the table, the last 3 on the couch. Cancellations must be made 24 hours in advance or the standard Social Lunch rate applies.