Channel 4’s Child Genius made interesting viewing.

In a Seven Up style format, it will follow several “gifted children” – they are so bright their IQs are off the scale – as they develop to see how their lives pan out.

In one scene a ten year old boy is in conversation with a Professor of Philosophy walking round the gardens of an Oxford College.

Professor: “If you had to lose only one, would it be logic or emotion?”

Child genius (without hesitation): “Emotion, because then I wouldn’t feel unhappy”

Professor: “Ah, but you wouldn’t feel happy either.”

Child genius: “Yes, but I wouldn’t care.”