Exceptional People

From Philosopedia

EXCEPTIONAL PEOPLE

Not all human beings resemble the classic beauty exemplified in the Western world by Ancient Greek statuary.

In the animal (and insect) world, those who differ greatly are the subject of teratology, the study of “exceptional people” or malformations or so-called “monstrosities.” Dwarfs, for example, have a defective cartilage or bone growth that usually is genetically transferred. Midgets’ bodies are proportionately correct miniatures caused by a malfunction of the pituitary gland, which often can be corrected with hormonal treatments.

Numbers of midgets (munchkins) were hired to perform in the M-G-M Studios film, “The Wizard of Oz,” which starred Judy Garland. Children often love dwarfs and midgets. Frederick Drimmer’s book, Very Special People, the Struggles, Loves, and Triumphs of Human Oddities (1973) and Leslie Fiedler’s movie, Freaks (1993) describe other “exceptional people,” which is the descriptive phrase used by many empathetic freethinkers.

(See entry for Teratology.)

{Todd S. Purdum, The New York Times, 3 November 1997}