The Boy With The Incredible Brain

The Boy With The Incredible Brain showcases the remarkable abilities of Daniel Tammet, an autistic savant with extraordinary mental capabilities. It focuses on his exceptional skills in mathematical calculation, memorization, and language learning. Tammet claims that he is able to learn a language within a week, an assertion puts to the test by flying him to Iceland to learn the intricate language of Icelandic in just seven days.

The film demonstrates Tammet’s mathematical prowess, which he has possessed since the age of four. In one segment, he performs impressive mental calculations, including computing 37 to the fourth power and dividing 13 by 97 to a precision of one hundred decimal places. Tammet explains his ability to scientists, describing how he visualizes numbers as shapes and colors in his mind, a condition known as synesthesia.

Another aspect of Tammet’s extraordinary abilities showcased in the documentary is his exceptional memory. The film captures him reciting Pi to an astounding 22,514 decimal places from memory, a feat he performs in front of invigilators at Oxford, England. This demonstration serves to illustrate the extent of his memorization capabilities.

The documentary also delves into Tammet’s linguistic talents. It reveals that he can speak eleven languages fluently and claims to be able to learn a new language within a week. This aspect of his abilities is particularly highlighted, as it follows his journey to learn Icelandic in a short period.

Through its portrayal of Daniel Tammet’s extraordinary mental capabilities, the documentary provides a fascinating glimpse into the mind of a savant. It offers insight into the unique way Tammet perceives and processes information, shedding light on the potential of the human brain.