Edward Kay

A couple of weeks ago, producer Merle Anne Ridley came up with a very clever suggestion for this site and was kind enough to offer it to me. I love clever ideas, especially when I don’t have to think of them myself. So here it is: “Ask Amanda Forsythe”. This is a link to a new page for readers who have questions they would like to ask Amanda. She’s busy with a science project at the moment, studying ways for humans to stay fit and healthy during long-term space travel in Zero-G environments. But Amanda loves hearing from you, and will answer your questions as quickly as she can. Needless to say, with her sardonic wit and 200 + I.Q., she will have something to say on any topic you care to mention. To leave a message in the comments section, and read Amanda’s answers, CLICK HERE.

You can read earlier questions and comments below.

Alex, on November 13th, 2009 at 10:34 am said:

Amanda, have you seen the movie 2012 yet, and does it make you worried about the future?

Amanda, on November 13th, 2009 at 10:44 am replied:

Hi Alex, I’ve only seen the trailer so far. But from that, I’m more concerned about John Cusak’s future than mine.
Regards,
Amanda

Blastema, on November 21st, 2009 at 10:59 pm said:

Dear Amanda,
I was just wondering – what would you do if you were driving a $1-million Bugatti Veyron sports car near a salt marsh in Texas and a low-flying Pelican suddenly swooped into your line of vision?
Yours sincerely,
Blastema,

Amanda, on November 21st, 2009 at 11:12 pm replied:

Dear Blastema,
Interesting question. Given that I am 11 years old and therefore too young to get a driver’s license, I assume that this would be a private road that I was travelling on? Also, in deference to the habitat requirements of pelicans and other living creatures, I would drive something with a smaller carbon footprint than a Bugatti. That is, unless no such alternate vehicle was available and it was an emergency – say, alerting the authorities that nefarious beings from a distant constellation were up to no good. In any case, I would make every effort not to do what the driver did in this clip.
I hope that answers your inquiry.
Best regards,
Amanda

Katrina, on December 27th, 2009 at 7:42 am said:

Hey Amanda!
I have a question for you:
I too am like yourself. I have very high academic ability. I have skipped gr. five.
Is there anything you think I should do to make school more challenging for me in grade 7? STAR academy is not available where I live. Thanks!
Katrina

Amanda, on January 1st, 2010 at 4:31 pm replied:

Hey Katrina,
First of all, congratulations on skipping grade 5! You obviously didn’t have too many teachers like Mrs. Wheedlbum or a principal like Mr. Murkly at your school, since at least your talents were recognized, which is a good start.
I wouldn’t be surprised if you skip another grade before you finish high school. But meanwhile, if the curriculum at your school isn’t all that interesting or challenging for you, and there are no schools for gifted students nearby, perhaps there are clubs at your school that you could join – or you could start a club of your own? Maybe a science club or an astronomy club, if your interests are like mine. That way, you could study advanced material that is compatible with your interests, and also get together with other kids who share your passion for learning (and if you’re lucky, maybe even meet some teachers who do too!)
Some schools also have debating clubs. They are not only a great way to meet other smart kids, but also a means of pushing your own intellect into new areas that you might not otherwise be motivated to explore, since you never know what subject you’ll have to debate, or which side of an argument you’ll be asked to present. It’s a great way to open up some new neural pathways and have some fun with friends.
But whatever you decide to do, I would definitely stay away from getting involved with aliens who are trying to take over the world, no matter what they promise you in terms of favours after they’re running the show. Eugenia Snootman has been laying low for the past while for that exact reason. I have been sworn to secrecy about her condition (her father threatened to sue all of us kids at the STAR Academy for $100 million each if they said anything about what she’s doing now) but it’s safe to say that Eugenia probably wishes she hadn’t tried to become quite so much like Headmistress Oppenheimer and Professor Leitspied!
You can also go to the “links” section of this website, which has online contact information for some great websites and resources for people our age.
I hope that information is helpful to you. Let me know how it turns out.
Happy New Year!
Amanda