Tammet
Daniel Tammet (born Daniel Paul Corney, 31 January 1979) is a British autistic savant, essayist, novelist, translator, and memoirist. He gained prominence for his exceptional mathematical, linguistic, and memory abilities.
Notable Abilities and Characteristics:
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Synesthesia: Tammet experiences synesthesia, a neurological phenomenon where stimulation of one sense leads to involuntary experiences in a second sense. He sees numbers as having shapes, colors, textures, and emotions, which he credits with aiding his mathematical calculations.
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Mathematical Savant: Tammet possesses remarkable mathematical skills, including the ability to perform complex calculations mentally and recall mathematical constants to a high degree of precision. He famously recited pi to 22,514 decimal places in five hours, setting a European record.
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Linguistic Abilities: Tammet is a hyperpolyglot, meaning he possesses fluency in a large number of languages. He is fluent in English, French, German, Spanish, Lithuanian, Icelandic, Romanian, Estonian, Finnish, Welsh, Esperanto, and others. He has also constructed his own language, "Mänti."
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Memory: Tammet demonstrates exceptional memory abilities, attributed to his synesthetic perception of information and his ability to create mental associations.
Published Works:
Tammet is the author of several books, including:
- Born on a Blue Day (2006): A memoir detailing his childhood, experiences with autism and synesthesia, and his mathematical abilities.
- Embracing the Wide Sky (2009): An exploration of the brain and its potential for learning and creativity.
- Thinking in Numbers (2012): A collection of essays examining the relationship between numbers, language, and the human mind.
- Mishenka (2016): Tammet's debut novel, written in French.
- Portraits of the Mind (2018): A further exploration of the mind and its connection to art and creativity.
- Every Word Is a Bird We Teach to Sing (2017) - Poems.
- Fragments of Heaven (2024) - A memoir.
Impact and Recognition:
Tammet's work has contributed to a greater understanding of savant syndrome, autism, and synesthesia. He has lectured and presented internationally on these topics, promoting awareness and advocating for neurodiversity. His personal story has inspired many, demonstrating the potential and unique perspectives of individuals with neurological differences. He has been widely featured in media, including television documentaries and news articles.