Chapter 296: Young Sheldon: Don't Call on Me!
"Permission granted!"
Judge Jackson agreed without hesitation.
Such a professional matter involving psychiatric evaluation should have been addressed by an expert psychiatrist from the start.
Dr. Beverly Hofstadter of Princeton University is renowned not only in New Jersey but throughout the United States.
Of course, young Leonard definitely played a role in that visibility.
What truly propelled Beverly to mainstream recognition was her parenting book written from a clinical perspective, its controversial content generating extensive social discourse.
Everyone knows Dr. Beverly Hofstadter is a highly rational professional!
And this wasn't Beverly's first time appearing in court as an expert witness.
Having been notified in advance, Beverly calmly entered and took the witness stand.
"Dr. Hofstadter, do you acknowledge the existence of dissociative identity disorder?"
Harrison Powell asked.
"Of course."
Beverly nodded. "At inception, there is the original primary personality, and subsequently derived alter personalities. The personalities are independent and complete, with their own distinct characteristics and memories.
Dissociative identity disorder, formerly known as multiple personality disorder, is a severe dissociative condition.
Typical individuals only have varied modes of thinking, while patients with DID cannot voluntarily control these distinct personality states."
"So the alter personality is not controlled by the primary personality, and can even deceive and manipulate the primary personality, correct?"
Harrison Powell glanced smugly at Chuck, who had returned to his seat in the gallery.
"Yes."
Beverly nodded.
"Then are you familiar with the classification of super-genius?"
Harrison Powell changed direction.
"Of course."
Beverly recited the super-genius IQ classification she had introduced to young Howard.
Those observers and jury members hearing this framework for the first time whispered among themselves.
They'd known before that there was a difference between ordinary people and geniuses.
But they'd never seen it quantified this way, never realized the gap was so vast.
Subtracting 60 from a super-genius's IQ still leaves them at above-average intelligence. Dividing their IQ in half brings them to standard intelligence, which somehow felt insulting.
"So, I presented an earlier hypothesis—that all super-geniuses have mental disorders—which was confirmed by super-genius Dr. Wolfe. Dr. Hofstadter, what's your professional opinion?"
Harrison Powell asked.
"Hmm, that's a very interesting proposition."
Beverly glanced at Chuck in the gallery and adjusted her glasses. "Whether it's universally true still requires research.
But theoretically, the mental processes of super-geniuses are beyond typical comprehension.
From a neurotypical perspective, certain behaviors may appear pathological, which is quite logical.
However, just like with dissociative identity disorder, what a super-genius can consciously control constitutes normal cognitive function.
What they cannot control would be classified as a disorder."
"So, among the super-geniuses you know, are there any who can completely control it?"
Harrison Powell pressed.
"To my knowledge, no."
Beverly considered for a moment, then shook her head. "Most experience physiological or psychological challenges."
"Like Detective Chuck!"
Harrison Powell interjected. "He has severe physiological and psychological conditions, requiring medication to manage them."
"Correct."
Beverly glanced at Chuck in the gallery and nodded.
"Is it possible that somewhere his primary consciousness is unaware, another personality exists, influencing or even controlling his actions?"
Harrison Powell bared his fangs.
"Objection!"
The bald prosecutor could no longer remain silent.
Because at this moment, Harrison Powell had reverted to his former style as the East Coast's top criminal defense attorney—his specialty was attacking the person, not addressing the issue.
Destroy credibility first, and the case follows.
"This is irrelevant to the case."
"Dr. Wolfe is a key witness in this case, so his mental state is highly relevant!"
Harrison Powell retorted confidently. "Not just this case, but every case he's handled needs reconsideration!"
"Objection!"
the bald prosecutor countered. "Dr. Wolfe is a consultant for multiple federal agencies including the IRS, FBI, and NYPD. He has undergone extensive psychological and psychiatric evaluations by various departments, so there is no legitimate question as raised by the defense."
"I'm merely suggesting a possibility,"
Harrison Powell argued. "The mental state of someone with psychological conditions fluctuates continuously—no one knows when they'll be in what state."
"Dr. Hofstadter, please answer the defense's question,"
Judge Jackson ruled.
"That's certainly theoretically possible,"
Beverly nodded. "However, research on super-genius psychology is still in its nascent stages, so I cannot provide a definitive answer."
"Isn't Sheldon Cooper, who resides in your home, a super-genius?"
Harrison Powell said. "As I understand it, he's very cooperative with your research. Doesn't that give you substantial insight into super-genius psychology and mental states?
Does he have any psychological disorders?
Such as dissociative identity disorder?"
"Sheldon is indeed a super-genius,"
Beverly stated flatly. "He does exhibit multiple personality constructs. To my knowledge, he currently has six distinct personas."
"Six personas?"
Harrison Powell was momentarily stunned, then laughed with exaggerated delight. "Could you elaborate for us?"
"Certainly."
Beverly didn't refuse—she actually enjoyed presenting her research findings. "This comes from what Sheldon told me upon waking from a dream. In his dream, in a sci-fi setting, there was a standing committee meeting of the Council of Sheldons."
Everyone present was Sheldon.
However, their attire and personalities were completely different.
Presiding from an elevated position was Prime Sheldon, wearing a T-shirt depicting the solar system, holding an attendance log and calling roll.
First on the left was Scientist Sheldon, wearing a white lab coat, nodding politely in acknowledgment.
First on the right was Texas Sheldon, wearing jeans and a cowboy hat. He tipped his hat, legs sprawled out, his tone, expression, and speech all exuding strong Texas swagger, completely different from standard Sheldon.
Second from the left was Fanatical Sheldon, dressed in a Star Trek Spock uniform, his right hand raised with index and middle fingers together, ring and pinky fingers together—the Vulcan salute, representing 'Live long and prosper.'
Second from the right was Germaphobe Sheldon, wearing full protective gear, responding to roll call while telling Prime Sheldon not to project saliva while speaking.
Third from the left was Comedy Sheldon, with a classic red clown nose, making humorous remarks—or at least he thought they were funny.
"He used to tell all kinds of corny jokes.
But ever since he met Chuck, Sheldon's entire comedic style has shifted. His humor has become increasingly reminiscent of the Joker from DC Comics, and he constantly refers to Chuck as the Dark Lord, not Batman."
"Dark Lord Chuck—interesting!"
Harrison Powell immediately seized on this. He looked around at the jurors. "My client Esther's alter personality, Emma, has said similar things.
It seems this is some kind of shared perspective among super-geniuses that we cannot comprehend."
"Objection."
The bald prosecutor objected. "Defense counsel is conflating issues. He cannot prove the so-called alter personality Emma is a super-genius, yet he keeps using this as comparison."
"No one fully understands super-geniuses, or super-genius mental states, or what personality differentiation actually entails. Even the most qualified expert, Dr. Beverly Hofstadter, admits limited knowledge, doesn't she?"
Harrison Powell retorted. "So we can only attempt to identify commonalities among them."
"And the so-called IQ test is merely a somewhat subjective assessment. It's essentially identifying patterns across different cognitive levels, isn't it?"
"Objection overruled. Defense counsel may continue,"
Judge Jackson ruled.
"Thank you, Your Honor."
Harrison Powell smiled smugly, glanced at the expressionless Chuck, approached the witness stand, and addressed the slightly nodding Beverly.
"Dr. Hofstadter, please describe the incident where you accompanied Sheldon Cooper to the Princeton University dormitory with a newspaper featuring my client's front-page story."
"Very well,"
Beverly answered truthfully.
The jury and gallery erupted in murmurs.
They all knew Esther's case had massive impact, but they hadn't expected this development.
"Dr. Hofstadter, was this your idea, or someone else's?"
Harrison Powell asked.
"It was Chuck's suggestion,"
Beverly stated flatly.
"So, in Dr. Chuck Wolfe's assessment, my client and super-genius Sheldon share some commonality?"
Harrison Powell exclaimed. "That's why this super-genius gave this super-genius Sheldon such an idea, correct?"
"You could interpret it that way."
Beverly considered for a moment and nodded.
"And how did it work?"
Harrison Powell pressed.
"It was highly effective."
Beverly admitted frankly. "The college students who had even destroyed the dean's written authorization not only ceased bullying Sheldon, but they all immediately backed down."
"So, from your professional perspective, what's the reason?"
Harrison Powell asked. "Is it because those college students knew what my client had done and feared that super-genius Sheldon would do the same, so they uncharacteristically retreated?"
"Yes."
Beverly nodded.
"So, at the suggestion of super-genius Dr. Chuck Wolfe, super-genius Sheldon Cooper imitated my client to intimidate the upperclassmen who bullied him."
Harrison Powell declared. "As a result, everyone accepted this connection because they feared Sheldon Cooper would also develop a malevolent alter personality, correct?"
"Not an alter personality,"
Beverly corrected. "Perhaps a seventh persona, though Comedy Sheldon—the sixth persona—could very well transform into this darker one."
"Okay, my mistake."
Harrison Powell slapped his forehead and laughed. "The sixth or seventh persona—but in your assessment, what is his first persona, his primary personality, like? Is he a kind little boy?"
"Yes."
Beverly nodded firmly.
Anyone else who'd ever known Sheldon would have hesitated.
But she, practically a female version of Sheldon herself, considered him endearing, so her answer was resolute.
"That concludes my questions."
Harrison Powell gestured to the judge and jury, gracefully ending his examination. He glanced smugly at Chuck in the gallery and returned to his seat.
The shifting expressions of the jury members were a source of satisfaction.
Previously, because he hadn't dared produce the malevolent Emma, he'd been verbally demolished by Chuck's rebuttal, leading to complete jury skepticism of the seemingly fragile Esther's innocence. This was the breakthrough he needed.
And if even one juror was willing to believe, he'd won.
"Prosecution, you may cross-examine,"
Judge Jackson prompted.
"Yes, Your Honor."
The bald prosecutor quickly glanced at the text message Chuck had sent him, then pocketed his phone and stood.
"Dr. Hofstadter, this so-called Council of Sheldons meeting—you said it occurred in Sheldon Cooper's dream?"
the bald prosecutor asked, stepping forward.
"Yes."
Beverly nodded.
"Then why are you categorizing these as personality differentiation?"
the bald prosecutor asked. "Couldn't it simply be a child's dream?"
"For a typical child, this would just be a dream,"
Beverly explained. "But for a super-genius like Sheldon, it's not. These are distinct persona constructs he's differentiated based on life experiences.
His intelligence and imagination are sufficient to differentiate all these conceptual personas.
For a mind capable of studying cosmological origins, this is actually quite elementary."
"And he told you this,"
the bald prosecutor took a few steps and smiled. "Most people quickly forget their dreams after waking, or at least don't remember such extensive detail. But from what he shared, he remembers everything, doesn't he?"
"Yes,"
Beverly nodded. "For typical individuals, upon waking, they often forget dream narratives, and details become indistinct.
But Sheldon is not typical.
He's a super-genius with eidetic memory. He remembers everything from approximately age two onward.
Including what occurs in his dreams.
As long as he wishes to recall, he can clearly reconstruct what happened."
"Eidetic memory? That sounds remarkable."
The bald prosecutor chuckled. "So, to your knowledge, is this ability unique to Sheldon Cooper?"
"No."
Beverly glanced at Chuck in the gallery and shook her head. "To my knowledge, super-geniuses all possess extraordinary memory capacity.
Whether it's termed eidetic memory, photographic memory, memory palace technique, hyperthymesia, or any other designation..."
"It seems we've identified another common trait among super-geniuses,"
the bald prosecutor smiled. "That is, they can remember everything that's happened, even dreams within dreams.
So, for these super-geniuses with extraordinary memory, amnesia simply isn't possible, is it?"
"To my knowledge, correct."
Beverly nodded.
"That's fascinating,"
the bald prosecutor chuckled. "According to this logic, if Esther is a super-genius like Dr. Wolfe and Sheldon Cooper, then she must also possess extraordinary memory and comprehension.
She wouldn't forget anything if she didn't want to!
Of course, defense counsel might argue this isn't an absolute commonality.
But that's fine.
We're simply following your approach, identifying commonalities to prove the so-called alter personality Emma is a super-genius, aren't we?"
Harrison Powell, who had immediately stood to object, frowned.
He'd never expected super-geniuses would possess superior memory.
There was no way around it.
His own intelligence limited his imagination.
Eidetic memory, photographic memory, memory palaces, hyperthymesia—these incredible abilities, if they appeared in the legal profession, which requires memorizing countless statutes and precedents, would be absolutely revolutionary superpowers.
Indeed!
Anyone with such abilities, given freedom to choose, would pursue high-level scientific research. Who would want to be a lawyer providing personalized service to demanding wealthy clients!
(End of Chapter)
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