I think it would be very surprising if either degree of giftedness did not change over time, or if it changed radically and persistently without powerful external pressures.

Brains are pretty plastic, and even last night's sleep affects what one is capable of. But it does seem to me that there is a strong underlying condition that you'd be working against to change capacity longterm. I know a guy who's brilliant, but rarely sleeps more than a couple of hours. If he started sleeping tomorrow, I suspect he'd get pretty smart again pretty quick, but would he ever regain what he's lost in 10 years of non-sleep? I sorta doubt it. It would be a really interesting case study, though.... maybe something like that's been reported on?

Last edited by Michaela; 05/19/10 10:21 AM.
DS1: Hon, you already finished your homework
DS2: Quit it with the protesting already!