There has been extensive research to explore the connection between autism and hyper creativity, with notable icons like Lewis Carroll and Albert Einstein having had the condition. In 2017, celebrated actor Anthony Hopkins also revealed that he was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome (which many consider under the umbrella term of “autism”) in 2014 when he was 77. The actor confessed that being on the spectrum has made him a “loner” over the years. “I could never settle anywhere. I was troubled and caused trouble, especially in my early years … I don’t go to parties, I don’t have many friends,” the actor added.

Turning obstacles into milestones

According to AutismKey, individuals who suffer from Asperger’s have rote memory skills and develop a keen focus on a few interests, which probably helped Hopkins be the actor he is. During Amistad in 1977, Anthony Hopkins learned a seven-page monologue and delivered it in a single take! Director Steven Spielberg acknowledged his mastery and reportedly started referring to him as Sir Anthony instead of Tony. The actor has also stated his meticulous work for on-screen roles. “I like to deconstruct, to pull a character apart, to work out what makes them tick, and my view will not be the same as everyone else.” He is also known for his talent in painting and music. Over the lockdown, he shared his body of work with his fans on Instagram.

A legend

Anthony Hopkins has also observed sobriety since 1975, reports People. He has completed 45 years of sobriety after almost overdosing on alcohol. The actor has also been open about his childhood in a dysfunctional household and his encounters with bullying. Having started acting as early as eighteen, he struggled to get his big break till he was 54 and starred in The Silence of the Lambs. The living legend now seems to be living a wholesome and happy life while still delivering crushing performances.

AppHarvest is a revolutionary startup that aims to restore the economically suffering communities of Appalachia, the former coal country, and reposition it as a thriving agricultural hub. The best part? That plan is already on the way.

The Kentucky-Based Company With a Mission to Save the Appalachia

AppHarvest is currently building some of the world’s largest indoor farms, with its first harvest already on the shelves of stores like Kroger and Walmart. The company recently went public and managed to attract Martha Stewart herself as a board member. Several of its facilities are already producing fruits and vegetables, and AppHarvest is on its way to becoming the national leader in alternative farming.

Their three huge indoor farms are located in Appalachia and are able to produce 30 times more food compared to a traditional farm. Those numbers are a result of the cutting-edge indoor technology, space-saving, and rainwater recycling that AppHarvest is using in all of its facilities.

A Sustainable Approach to Food Production

In a recent press release, Martha Stewart praised the successful first harvest of the company, stating that its sustainable approach “is the future of food.” That future consists of nutrient-rich, pesticide-free, and flavorful produce that will really make a difference. The company’s Morehead Kentucky headquarters boast impressive numbers: they can grow about 45 million pounds of chemical pesticide-free, non-GMO tomatoes each year, regardless of the burden of the seasons. Stewart shared she’s already testing the first batch of tomatoes and can’t wait to use them in her famous recipes.

Carefully nested in Appalachia, the farms are just a day’s drive from more than 80% of the American population. That way, AppHarvest is both able to keep its promise to help Appalachian communities thrive and make sure its produce is reaching markets fresh and quickly.

The future’s looking bright, too. With over $1 billion secured in financing, AppHarvest is hoping to have a total of 12 indoor farms up and running within the next four years.