Ever since the author’s “differentness” became apparent to him, he had to cope with it and make decisions about if and when to try to adapt to various aspects of dominant society and culture. Teasing and bullying at school underscored that the author was, as he says in a chapter title, “the odd one out” (73). Attempts to fit in with his peers often went badly. He reflects on various behaviors he displayed, like standing very physically close to people, that made those around him feel uncomfortable. He altered such behaviors as he learned to understand and express emotions better, but he still had a mind and brain that set him apart from peers and provided both gifts and challenges in his life.

After his school days, his “differentness” functioned very differently in his life. When he lived abroad in Lithuania, he made friends who appreciated the author for who he was, like only a few children had in his youth. As he started taking on public challenges to test his brain power, he voluntarily displayed his abilities for the wider world to see, and he often enjoyed a very positive reception and interest and kindness from those around him. He noticed that the very things that isolated him in his youth were the things that attracted people to him in adulthood.