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Genie, once labeled as a “feral child” and known for enduring extreme abuse and isolation, remains a subject of both fascination and sorrow.
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Found in 1970, the girl called Genie had been confined to a solitary room, deprived of human interaction and language, which led to significant cognitive and linguistic deficits.
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Despite her rescue and subsequent care, Genie’s ability to acquire language has remained an enigmatic and partially tragic tale of what might have been.
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Genie’s circumstances have provided insights into the nature of language development and the critical periods within which it must occur.
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Susan Curtiss, a linguist who worked closely with Genie post-rescue, offered profound insights into Genie’s cognitive and communicative abilities.
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“She was smart. She could hold a set of pictures so they told a story. She could create all sorts of complex structures from sticks. She had other signs of intelligence.
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The lights were on,” said Curtiss, depicting a Genie who, despite her inability to grasp grammar, showed signs of intelligence and engagement with the world.
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Progress initially was promising. She developed social skills and non-verbal communication, expanding her vocabulary and learning to sketch.
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However, her story diverged significantly from the inspiring tale of Helen Keller. Instead of a linguistic breakthrough, Genie’s language development hit a plateau.
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Her story, in many ways, was a race against time. As researchers and caregivers rallied around her, attempting to rehabilitate and study her simultaneously, ethical concerns began to surface.
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There were the scientists and carers who studied and, in some cases, loved her. Their collaboration collapsed into feuds, vendettas and muck-raking.
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After funding dried up and Genie cycled through various foster homes, the promise of recovery dimmed. then a series of state institutions under the supervision of social workers who barred access to Curtiss and others. Genie’s progress swiftly reversed, perhaps never to be recovered.
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Today, Genie’s whereabouts are kept confidential, and little is known about her current condition.
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The once bright spotlight on her case has dimmed, leaving a legacy of academic papers, documentaries, and ethical debates. Yet, for those who knew her, like Curtiss, the emotional impact lingers.
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“There is a hole in my heart and soul from not being able to see her that doesn’t go away,” confessed Curtiss, a testament to the enduring human element often overshadowed in such scientific inquiry.
Relevant articles:
– The Enigmatic Journey of Genie: A Feral Child’s Battle with Language After Rescue