Einstein And 'dissociation'

[BuckarooBanzai]

It is fairly well documented that Albert Einstein used to get lost easily just walking around the (then) small town of Princeton. He was so caught up in his thoughts, he often didn't know where he was and so couldn't find his way home.

A Princeton business owner said Einstein once walked into his shoe store and said, "Hello. I'm Albert Einstein. Could someone please give me a ride home?" Once again, he'd gone for a walk and gotten lost.

Makes me feel a bit better about my own dissociative exploits. :)

 

[Crystal Rose]

It is fairly well documented that Albert Einstein used to get lost easily just walking around th...

I love this!

 

[BuckarooBanzai]

Sort of puts things in perspective, doesn't it?

 

[BuckarooBanzai]

Perhaps this is the reason Einstein never learned to drive a car.

 

[Mary4]

Love your sense of humour

 

[BuckarooBanzai]

But it's all true. That's what's so beautiful about it all. :)

 

[EmmaOwl]

But it's all true. That's what's so beautiful about it all. :)

This is great! Thanks for posting this. Makes me feel better too!

I've got Bob Dylan on the brain (see my profile note, which I posted BEFORE I came across this), and sometime in the past couple of years he was picked up by the police after they cops got a call about a confused-looking old man wandering the streets of a suburban neighborhood (not unlike Princeton) one night. Of course when they approached him, he told them he was Bob Dylan but, as he looks like an absolute physical wreck, and he had no ID on him - he IS Bob Dylan after all! lol - the police took him in to the station.. This was central New Jersey, not too far north of Princeton.*

Cheers to Einstein and Dylan! Absentmindedness along with absolutely brilliant minds.

*Edited to add location

 

[EmmaOwl]

Perhaps this is the reason Einstein never learned to drive a car.

He said it took too much concentration.
I *think* that is true though I wouldn't swear to it.

 

[Sideways]

Next time someone asks me what it's like for me when I dissociate, I'll know that the appropriate answer is, "It's a lot like being Albert Einstein"!

 

[BuckarooBanzai]

Yes, I also heard he thought driving required too much concentration; he resented anything that took his mind off his research

...what it's like for me when I dissociate, I'll know that the appropriate answer is, "It's a lot like being Albert Einstein"!

The perfect response!

 

[EmmaOwl]

Next time someone asks me what it's like for me when I dissociate, I'll know that the appropriate answer is, "It's a lot like being Albert Einstein"!

This strategy had not occurred to me - thanks for pointing it out!

 

[void]

@BuckarooBanzai

Many Autism researchers have speculated that Dr. Einstein had ASD. I have no way of knowing whether he was dissociated or just engaged in deep concentration. Individuals with ASD are known for their ability to sustain uncommonly intense levels of concentration. I have known many such persons who forget to eat, have others do their banking, wear the same shirt for a week and not notice, etc....

It is valuable to note that there is significant overlap (think Venn diag.) between the characteristics of giftedness and the high IQ portion of the Autism Spectrum. Many of the gifted (esp. 2 SD+) exhibit eccentricities, sensory issues, superior concentration, etc... that can make distinguishing the two a challenge. Then throw introversion into the mix and it all becomes even more complex.

I am unaware of any biographical indications of a trauma history in Einstein's life, but in that era ppl rarely disclosed such information.

I would have loved to have met him.:happy: