Could lead affect musical ability?

[Dave2002]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-27067615 suggests lead might have an impact on crime figures.

Could it affect other things too?

[Pabmusic]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-27067615 suggests lead might have an impact on crime figures.

Could it affect other things too?

Yes, of course. Thomas Midgeley (donchaluvim?) also invented chloroflourocarbons (CFCs - think ozone layer). He died in an unusual way, entangled in a Wallace-and-Gromit-style bed that strangled him.

[teamsaint]

All very interesting stuff.

It would be interesting to see similar research on white collar and high level financial crime, including dodgy Arms deals.

Funny the way some things make the news agenda......

[rauschwerk]

If you Google on 'Beethoven's hair' you will read evidence that Beethoven seems to have been a victim of lead poisoning, which probably caused many of his chronic ailments. No impairment of musical ability there, then!

[teamsaint]

And what about lead guitarists?

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

And what about lead guitarists?

no hope for them i am afraid

[Flosshilde]

The use of lead for water pipes and other things in Imperial Rome has been suggested as one of the influences in the decline of Rome as a power. An interesting article - http://www.poweredbyosteons.org/2012...-skeletal.html - shows evidence of lead in extreme levels in skeletal remains.

[Dave2002]

Yes, of course. Thomas Midgeley (donchaluvim?) also invented chloroflourocarbons (CFCs - think ozone layer). He died in an unusual way, entangled in a Wallace-and-Gromit-style bed that strangled him.

So a really bad guy then!

I suppose he meant well - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Midgley,_Jr.

[edashtav]

If you Google on 'Beethoven's hair' you will read evidence that Beethoven seems to have been a victim of lead poisoning, which probably caused many of his chronic ailments. No impairment of musical ability there, then!

Napoleon's hair shows high levels of arsenic.
Its oxide was a frequent remedy for V.D.
Three side effects have been noted:
Beautiful smooth skin and fine hair
Man boobs.
Erectile Dysfunction

Gives a twist to "Not tonight, Josephine."

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

My childhood home in the 1950s and 60s had lead piping throughout and an asbestos solid fuel central heating boiler. OK, I had the second highest IQ in the class in primary school and was considered a musical genius.

After that, it all went downhill.

Who knows whether the lead had an effect?

[Ariosto]

I knew someone who was a lead(er) and he definitely affected musical ability ...

[Serial_Apologist]

My childhood home in the 1950s and 60s had lead piping throughout and an asbestos solid fuel central heating boiler. OK, I had the second highest IQ in the class in primary school and was considered a musical genius.

After that, it all went downhill.

Who knows whether the lead had an effect?

With 75 + versions of the Alpine Symphony at home? No question!

[teamsaint]

Napoleon's hair shows high levels of arsenic.
Its oxide was a frequent remedy for V.D.
Three side effects have been noted:
Beautiful smooth skin and fine hair
Man boobs.
Erectile Dysfunction

Gives a twist to "Not tonight, Josephine."

No lead in the bonaparte pencil then?

[edashtav]

No lead in the bonaparte pencil then?

No, he had to settle for the booby prize

[Thropplenoggin]

Napoleon's hair shows high levels of arsenic.
Its oxide was a frequent remedy for V.D.
Three side effects have been noted:
Beautiful smooth skin and fine hair
Man boobs.
Erectile Dysfunction

A distance cousin of Man Ray and Man Friday, perhaps.