From: HrgSmes <[log in to unmask]> Return-path: <[log in to unmask]> To: [log in to unmask] Subject: myths about genius Date: Wed, 11 Mar 1998 11:48:04 EST Organization: AOL (http://www.aol.com) Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit norm i'm doing a review of GOOD WILL HUNTING, focusing on the vicissitudes of youthful genius. Overviewing myths about intellectual and artistic prodigies, I want to say something about the recurrent theme of genius discovered in childhood or adolescence in mean/humble circumstances. As a prime example, I seem to recall that a Renaissance painter -- at least one -- was discovered as a child by his future teacher drawing amazing pictures in the dust of his peasant farmyard. I believe this was Caravaggio. Can anyone confirm or deny this or otherwise trace the source of the tale to its reality, if such there be? Many thanks Harvey Roy Greenbeg, MD