Think Different
They might be our next Einsteins, and yet we do not see it.
“To The Crazy Ones”
Here’s to the crazy ones.
The misfits.
The rebels.
The troublemakers.
The round pegs in the square holes.
The ones who see things differently.
They’re not fond of rules.
And they have no respect for the status quo.
You can quote them, disagree with them,
Glorify or vilify them.
About the only thing you can’t do is ignore them.
Because they change things.
They push the human race forward.
While some may see them as the crazy ones,
we see genius.
Because the people who are crazy enough
to think they can change the world,
are the ones who do.
The World Of Gifted
This beautifully written and iconic ad campaign marked the return of Steve Jobs to Apple. I read it, listened to it and listened again in many different versions. Every time I did, I could not hold back my tears.
These words so accurately describe some traits and experiences of gifted children (and adults). Its depiction is powerful. These children and adults are often partially (or completely) misunderstood by our society: their teachers, their peers and even their friends and family. As a result, they often might feel like misfits and rebels and troublemakers.
They are often pushed to fit into the round holes, but they are a square. How frustrating that must be!
We often give them labels of ADHD, depression, or anxiety. Sometimes they do have these diagnoses. Other times, they are misdiagnosed: their mind might simply be overactive (or differently active) with creativity and potentially faster speed compared to average, in a way that we simply do not understand well, yet.
So, we give them a label. Sometimes that “label” (or diagnosis) is the correct one. Other times, it is not. At the end of the day, some of them are in some way different than “the average”. Often, they do not fit in.
Sometimes, we pretend we understand them. Often, we actually do not. In general, human race is not uniformly nice to each other, and especially to those who look, behave or think differently. Why is that so?
Sometimes we just do not know enough. And interestingly, what we do not know: we fear.
Other times we do not try enough. Maybe we are insecure? For some of us humans, maybe it is a power game. Often, we just want a quick fix. We want them to think, behave and speak the way we ask them to. We give them diagnoses. We give them pills when they need it, but also when they do not need it. We do not think enough of side effects and how will that “quick-fix-treatment” affect them once they are adults.
They see things differently.
They might be our next visionaries, our next inventors, healers, explorers, or Nobel Prize winners. Yet, often, we do not see it. They might be the next Einstein or next Semmelweis. But, with our blinders on, we completely miss it.
Not only that we miss it, but at times, we extinguish that amazing intellectual fire they have within them. We smother them. We limit them. We frustrate them. We ignore them. We even mistreat them.
“They invent.
Imagine.
Heal.
Explore.
Create.
They inspire.
They push the human race forward”.
However, we sometimes call them crazy.
“Maybe they have to be crazy.
How else can you stare at an empty canvas and see a work of art?
Or sit in silence and hear a song that has never been written?
Or gaze at a red planet and see a laboratory on wheels?”
Regardless, they are our future. But we do not see it.
Maybe we are the crazy ones?
Indeed. We need to wake up. We need to do better. And as a result, we need to treat them better.
We need to guide them, mentor them, inspire them and understand them so that they can be what and who they are supposed to be.
Without a doubt, we need to let them spread their wings and let them fly as high as they can. It is the same approach with every other child. That should be our universal goal. Support them, and if their capabilities are bigger than ours, do not limit them. Let them fly. Let them go at their own pace and change the world.
They will be happier, and we, as an individual, community and human race in general, too.
So, what do you think?
What is your experience?
Have you ever felt different?
Been mistreated or misunderstood?
Tell us what you think.
Dr. Jasminka Vukanovic-Criley MD, FACP, FHM is a multiple award-winning physician, internist, hospitalist, healthcare & education innovator & Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine at UCLA. She is a career mentor & advisor to numerous undergraduate, graduate & postgraduate students & faculty. As a researcher, Dr. Criley received awards from the National Institutes of Health & the U.S. Department of Education Her work focuses on creating research-driven #edtech games & digital media to improve health, civics, science education & promote healthy habits. Dr Criley is also a sought-after speaker & a founding Board member of Physician’s Weekly. She can be reached on X at @criley_md and at www.linkedin.com/in/jasminka-criley-md