Few human phenomena seem to stir up a wide range of emotional reactions in people quite like child prodigies. People express everything from admiration, jealousy, respect, mistrust of the children’s parents, wonderment, and maybe in some cases fear. Because, let’s face it: people fear what they don’t understand. To some people this much talent and skill this early in life is a little alien, a little freaky. I came across comments about this video mostly denouncing this girl’s skill, and I made myself stop reading before I got sucked into the sinkhole of negativity. (Comment fields under internet articles attract net-jerks like bees to flowers.)

I am always amazed to see child prodigies in their element, but these sorts of blessings can be curses, too. I wonder if their little personalities can take the extra heat they’ll feel in other competitive areas, or if they’ll be able to absorb harsh words from their own peers uttered in a misguided attempt to tip the power balance their own way. Will they become jaded, or arrogant? Will their parents help them be well-adjusted or end up exploiting them? People can be cruel, they can bully, and I wonder if sometimes child prodigies wish they could trade in their gift(s) to be just like everyone else.

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