Gregory R Smith for president!!!
LFiggy
talking about Gregory R Smith, the cherubic child genius profiled on Oprah,
60
Minutes and even David Letterman.
For those of you not familiar with this lad, Greg Smith is a prodigy who
graduated high school two years ago at age 10, and he is currently a
sophomore
at Randolph Macon college in Virginia. But it is not his intellect which
makes
him so remarkable, it is his compassion.
He is a boy who has pledged his life to help the poor and oppressed children
of the world. He is a pacifist, advocate of the environment, and ambassador
of
good will. Greg truly is a marvel-- he is the youth spoke person of the
Center
of Compassion( not certain if that's the exact name), he has met with many
world leaders including Mikhail Gorbachev, and President Clinton. (There are
great pictures on his site www.GregoryRSmith.com of him meeting Clinton and
sitting at his desk in the Oval Office.) Greg was invited to attend this
year's swearing in of congress, and he routinely travels around the world
giving speeches on world peace, and the state of the world's children--
there
are clips of some of his speeches at the site too.
This boy has lofty goals, among them running for President, and if I'm still
alive when he is old enough to run, I'll certainly give him my vote. All one
needs to do is hear one of his speeches to feel the depth of both his
passion
and compassion, as well as his intellect. He is an 11 year old boy with the
poise and wisdom of someone beyond his years. (I encourage everybody to view
the video clip at his site.)
We here in this newsgroup constantly heap praise on many deserving
youngsters,
but here is a boy who is so remarkable that the may truly change the world.
I urge one and all to visit www.gregoryrsmith.com
Greg runs the site apparently (or at least has a lot of input into it), and
it
has extensive photos, articles, a video clip, a biography and much
information
on all his good works as well as his already eventful life. It also has a
listing of his upcoming appearances, some of his poetry, and much more!!!
LFiggy
RTJoby
impressive. After seeing his impressive "Child Genius" story, it will be
interesting to see where is he is 10 or 15 years from now.
LFiggy
>I saw him on OPRAH the time Billy Gilman was on and found him really
>impressive. After seeing his impressive "Child Genius" story, it will be
>interesting to see where is he is 10 or 15 years from now.
>
>
I wish I had seen him when he was on Oprah. But I did catch him on David
Letterman-- he was supposed to go on the show once a year, but as far as I
know, he's only made one visit. It was funny-- Greg is so serious and poised
while Letterman is such a goof. Dave made him promise to use his superpowers
only for good :) Afterwards, after Greg had left, Lauren Becall said the boy
was terrifying.
What amazes me is he's already accomplished so much and he'll only be 12 in
a
month. He's established an organization called International Youth Advocates
which has helped better the lives of people in developing nations. And this
boy has addressed the United Nations Security Council, the Florida General
Assembly, and has met with Nobel Laureates such as Betty Williams and Bishop
Desmond Tutu.
I don't think he's terrifying, but incredibly inspiring. As maybe you can
tell
I've been inspired. :) :)
LFiggy
RTJoby
The one I saw with Billy Gilman was perhaps around January (or so) of 2001 said
that it was Greg's 2nd time to be on the show. Sort of an updated year later
thing.
<< Afterwards, after Greg had left, Lauren Becall said the boy
>was terrifying. >>
In reference to the above and what he has accomplished below, next those Lauren
Bacall types will be checking his scalp for three 6's.
LFiggy
>
>The one I saw with Billy Gilman was perhaps around January (or so) of 2001
said
>that it was Greg's 2nd time to be on the show. Sort of an updated year
later
>thing.
I didn't realize he'd been on Oprah more than once. He's probably taken to
doing his yearly appearances on her show rather than Letterman's. Greg's
site
has a link to Billy Gilman's-- and some links to other sites dedicated to
other youngsters who work to better the world.
>
><< Afterwards, after Greg had left, Lauren Becall said the boy
>>was terrifying. >>
>
>In reference to the above and what he has accomplished below, next those
Lauren
>Bacall types will be checking his scalp for three 6's.
>
I agree. Though I must confess, I've sometimes wondered if perhaps Greg's
parents didn't find him as an infant in a crashed spaceship in the middle of
a
cornfield :) Next he'll take to wearing a big "S" on his chest and flying
around...
LFiggy
Hades62780
>impressive. After seeing his impressive "Child Genius" story, it will be
>interesting to see where is he is 10 or 15 years from now.
I also saw this episode. It inspired me to write a book about a child
genius, which is currently only in the early chapters. Anyway, I agree it will
be interesting to see what he does with himself, and if he still wants to be
president 24 years from now, when he becomes old enough.
Starduster
I am truely impressed. SO often we look to Hollywood, or sports for our
role models and heros. Here is one who has become a bit of a celebrity
because of his accomplishments and goals at such a young age, but is not
really a "celebrity", but a kid who truely cares about others.
I intend to keep up with viewing the site and with his achievements.
GREAT STORY.
************************************************************************
STARDUSTER
************************************************************************
Starduster
> only for good :) Afterwards, after Greg had left, Lauren Becall said the boy
> was terrifying.
What is truely "terrifying" is the use of the word "terrifying" to
describe Gregory.
Whats next, jump up on the desk lift her skirt and scream
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!
Maybe she's intimidated by someone so young that displays more
intelligence and maturity.
> What amazes me is he's already accomplished so much and he'll only be 12 in
> a
> month.
When I saw this it kind of reminded me of the debate when the TV series
Doogie Howser, MD, came out. Could a kid really achieve that much by his
teen years? Greg may not have "Dr" in front of his name but a college
degree is certainly a reality.
He's established an organization called International Youth Advocates
> which has helped better the lives of people in developing nations. And this
> boy has addressed the United Nations Security Council, the Florida General
> Assembly, and has met with Nobel Laureates such as Betty Williams and Bishop
> Desmond Tutu.
> I don't think he's terrifying, but incredibly inspiring. As maybe you can
> tell
> I've been inspired. :) :)
>
> LFiggy
I 100% agree.
************************************************************************
STARDUSTER
"Look To The Stars And Find Your Own Light"
************************************************************************
LFiggy
I've often wondered about that. Greg Smith is so idealistic and moral, it
makes me wonder if he has the Machiavellian instinct to be President. What's
inspiring is that he doesn't want that office for his own glorification, but
for the good that he can do. The thing is, Presidents often have to make
difficult decisions which compromise their morals. It may be that Greg is
too
decent to be Commander In chief.
It looks like we have something in common :) I've been writing a book-- an
ongoing project for me, it's about a gifted young musician-- a prodigy-- and
his struggle to overcome a lifetime of abuse.
LFiggy
LFiggy
>LFiggy wrote:
>
>> only for good :) Afterwards, after Greg had left, Lauren Becall said the
boy
>> was terrifying.
>
>What is truely "terrifying" is the use of the word "terrifying" to
>describe Gregory.
>Whats next, jump up on the desk lift her skirt and scream
>EEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!
>Maybe she's intimidated by someone so young that displays more
>intelligence and maturity.
>
That's probably the case. Greg must be intimidating to people not secure in
their own intellect.
>> What amazes me is he's already accomplished so much and he'll only be 12 in
>> a
>> month.
>
>When I saw this it kind of reminded me of the debate when the TV series
>Doogie Howser, MD, came out. Could a kid really achieve that much by his
>teen years? Greg may not have "Dr" in front of his name but a college
>degree is certainly a reality.
>
He's coming to the end of his sophomore year soon, so he'll have his first
degree in 2003, just before he turns 14. Other prodigies have gotten a
degree
at a much younger age, but Greg had problems with the Lancaster, PA, school
district some years ago-- they didn't know what to do with him-- so he
"only"
got out of High School at the ripe old age of nine.
>He's established an organization called International Youth Advocates
>> which has helped better the lives of people in developing nations. And this
>> boy has addressed the United Nations Security Council, the Florida General
>> Assembly, and has met with Nobel Laureates such as Betty Williams and
Bishop
>> Desmond Tutu.
>> I don't think he's terrifying, but incredibly inspiring. As maybe you can
>> tell
>> I've been inspired. :) :)
>>
>> LFiggy
>
>I 100% agree.
>
>************************************************************************
> STARDUSTER
> "Look To The Stars And Find Your Own Light"
>************************************************************************
Be sure to check out the archive of magazine and newspaper articles he has
on
the website. They provide a lot of information about him. The coolest thing
he's done is that he's worked with NASA. I'm not certain in what capacity,
but
in some articles he's been quoted as saying, the NASA project is Classified:
Sensitive, so he can't talk about it. Now that's cool!!! (NASA has also
promised him an internship).
LFiggy
Hades62780
>ongoing project for me, it's about a gifted young musician-- a prodigy-- and
>his struggle to overcome a lifetime of abuse.
Hope we see each other on the bestseller lists. You know we're both going to
make it. ;-)
Best of luck with the book. I know how daunting a task it can seem at times.
If you ever want to exchange some encouraging words, send me a mail. And
when/if you get published, let me know, and I'll buy a copy.
Hades62780
>boy
>>> was terrifying.
>>
>>What is truely "terrifying" is the use of the word "terrifying" to
>>describe Gregory.
>>Whats next, jump up on the desk lift her skirt and scream
>>EEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!
>>Maybe she's intimidated by someone so young that displays more
>>intelligence and maturity.
>>
>
>That's probably the case. Greg must be intimidating to people not secure in
>their own intellect.
Actually, if one were to put some thought into it, it wouldn't be hard to
imagine what she was talking about. Despite the great number of things he has
accomplished, and despite his intellect, he has never been able to live a
normal life. He's never just been a kid. That is terrifying.
I very easily could have been forced into the same path Gregory is
following. I am thankful that I wasn't. My parents decided that rather than
push me, they would let me set my own pace. Granted, I would probably be
further along my career path had my parents pushed me, but I have something
that can't be forced; happiness. I am truly happy with who and what I am. If
Gregory shares this trait with me, I am glad. If not, I am sorry for him, and
all the good times he's missed.
LFiggy
Heh. I've discovered that starting a novel's easy. Finishing is hard:) I'm
more than half way through, and it's going to be a Moby Dick sized epic :o
(it's really two novels intertwined as one)...
LFiggy
Hades62780
Ain't that the truth. And I have the same tendency to be "long-winded" in my
writing.
Starduster
>
> Actually, if one were to put some thought into it, it wouldn't be hard to
> imagine what she was talking about. Despite the great number of things he has
> accomplished, and despite his intellect, he has never been able to live a
> normal life. He's never just been a kid. That is terrifying.
But did she say that Greg himself was terrifying or that his situation
is terrifying.
> I very easily could have been forced into the same path Gregory is
> following. I am thankful that I wasn't. My parents decided that rather than
> push me, they would let me set my own pace. Granted, I would probably be
> further along my career path had my parents pushed me, but I have something
> that can't be forced; happiness. I am truly happy with who and what I am. If
> Gregory shares this trait with me, I am glad. If not, I am sorry for him, and
> all the good times he's missed.
This is much the same statement that is made of many child actors. Many
of them also are thrown into an adult situation and lose out on much of
the childhood experience.
In viewing and reading his web page, I was left with the idea that Greg
is doing what HE wants with his life and childhood. It dosnt seen that
he is being "pushed" into anything that he dosnt wish to do.
Some Hi IQ kids are totally bored if they are not challenged to a higher
standard. Others may develop the "Malcolm Syndrome" about being one of
the "Krelboynes". Greg seems VERY grounded. While I must agree that it
is kind of a shame that he may be missing out on a "normal" childhood he
seems VERY in touch with the needs and lives of kids that are a lot less
fortunate and who also may be cheated out of a "normal" childhood
experience. His desire to "organize" kids, and adults, to help other
kids seems, in my mind, to show that he is in deed in touch with kids
his own age and understands what they need and how they feel. So im not
really sure that his situation of being in his situation is
"terrifying". Definately unique and different, but not something that
seems to show signs of "trouble".
Just my thoughts.
************************************************************************
STARDUSTER
************************************************************************
LFiggy
>
>>
>> Actually, if one were to put some thought into it, it wouldn't be hard
to
>> imagine what she was talking about. Despite the great number of things he
has
>> accomplished, and despite his intellect, he has never been able to live a
>> normal life. He's never just been a kid. That is terrifying.
>
>But did she say that Greg himself was terrifying or that his situation
>is terrifying.
>
I remember it distinctly, Lauren Becall said: "He's terrifying", when
Letterman asked her what she thought of Greg. Her tone of voice wasn't
exactly
cruel, but it wasn't kind, either.
I definitely agree.
Recently, Mac Culkin has talked about his lost childhood. Many other former
child actors have made the same sentiment. But those young performers
(barring
any type of dysfunction) would have had normal childhoods if either they
hadn't chosen acting, or if their parents hadn't pushed them into it.
As I pointed out in an earlier post, Greg is doing what is natural for
him
to do.
LFiggy