Jason Padgett

Struck by Genius Jason Padgett

No one sees the world the way Jason Padgett does. When water pours from the faucet, Padgett sees crystalline patterns; for him, numbers call to mind distinct geometric shapes; and intricate fractal patterns emerge from the movement of tree branches, revealing the intrinsic mathematical designs hidden in the objects around us. The startling fact here is that Padgett wasn't born this way. Twelve years ago, he had never made it past pre-algebra, but then a violent mugging forever altered the way his brain works, giving him unique gifts. His ability to understand math and physics skyrocketed, and he developed the astonishing ability to draw the complex geometric shapes he saw everywhere. His stunning, mathematically precise artwork illustrates his intuitive understanding of complex mathematics. The first documented case of acquired savant syndrome with mathematical synesthesia, Padgett is a medical marvel. Struck by Genius recounts how he overcame huge setbacks and embraced his new mind. Along the way he fell in love, found joy in numbers, and spent plenty of time having his head examined. Like Born on a Blue Day and My Stroke of Insight, his singular story reveals the wondrous potential of the human brain.