Subject: Re: Genius
AntiUtopia@aol.com
Date: Tue Jan 04 2000 - 08:22:48 EST
In a message dated 1/4/00 12:42:52 AM Eastern Standard Time,
Joshiwosh@aol.com writes:
> But to me, it is a quality of deeper
> understanding. That is why they say there is a fine line between genius
and
>
> insanity, because those with a deeper understanding of life might not be
> able
> to communicate what they know and so their actions, based on their
> incredible
> knowledge of their area, might make them seem wierd, eccentric, or insane.
> A
> genius is not infallible; Hitler's military and political genius was
> hideously contrasted with his utter ignorance of race and culture, and so
we
>
> brand him as insane
I think you're confusing being highly competent in an area with genius.
Hitler was probably a very competent general (or probably just surrounded by
them), but also very lucky. I think you'll find people who have been greatly
successful have also been very lucky at some very important junctures. There
are ways you can posture yourself to be so lucky, but no guarantees. I agree
that there are a great many very skilled, very (potentially) competent people
out there who don't have a clue about their abilities, but they're hardly
what I would call genius.
See, if this one competence is all you have, you tend to focus on just that
and miss a whole lot else. That's hardly genius. It's usually pretty
tedious. Someone truly exceptional is competent in just about everything
they lay their hands on -- whether they're a clerk at a 7-11, playing the
cello in an orchestra, or welding (I've met people like this. They're scary).
Jim
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