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The Curse of Genius

1843magazine.com

41–50 of 108 posts

Re: The Curse of Genius

#41

I remember understanding people talking but not knowing how to speak when I was very little. I guess I’m a genius

All babies understand language before they can speak. One of the reasons baby sign language works is because it doesn’t require the fine motor control that speaking does, so can be used earlier.

Re: The Curse of Genius

#42

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Feynman didn't have that problem, so it's not universal, but it does seem like most geniuses are afflicted with loneliness.

I suspect the sibling reply is correct, that it’s more about celebrity than genius. But I also don’t think Feynman was a genius the way Einstein was. AFAIK, his math skills didn’t stand out and his main contributions seemed to be about making physics more accessible and teaching.

Im not sure about his genius compared to Einstein, but Hus contributions to physics are much more than popularization (which I think came much later in his career). He played a leading role in developing the most successful scientific theory in history: quantum electrodynamics.

Re: The Curse of Genius

#43

> Even Albert Einstein, one of the most emblematic examples of genius, wrote in 1952: “It is strange to be known so universally and yet be so lonely.” Really so strange. I'm just trying to see how lonely he must have felt having to keep to himself.

The feeling of loneliness (as well as all others) comes from inside, not outside. If you are not experiencing yourself as a part of the universe but something separated - no amount of people and talking around will help.

Re: The Curse of Genius

#44

I went through a gifted program starting in 3rd grade but I don’t think I’m gifted. Most of what I think seems obvious. For example, the ability to ask simple questions in the moment is a skill anyone can learn. For the highest level poker player, analytical thoughts are rather systemic but require emotional and intellectual control. Had I focused on any one thing, I think I could had been a brilliant programmer, phy…

When people say "gifted", "smart" or "genius" it's always in comparison to others, it's not absolute. From your point of view, it's normal to ask questions, while somebody else sees it as phenomenal.

Re: The Curse of Genius

#45
post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's such obvious selection bias. People who join Mensa have something to prove.

Is your alternative hypothesis that ADHD is twice as prevalent in people who feel they have "something to prove"?

Exactly. If they're intelligent but have ADHD they could feel insistently valued by the academic system and required additional validation via Mensa. ADHD by itself, as far as I know, isn't positively correlated with IQ.

Re: The Curse of Genius

#46
post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Is your alternative hypothesis that ADHD is twice as prevalent in people who feel they have "something to prove"?

Maybe they ended up taking MENSA entry tests when they were meant to be doing their taxes or something.

Now that sums of much of ADHD experience. More seriously, there are indications that aspects of ADHD affect information processing in potentially beneficial ways. I have a hunch that given the overall detriment ADHD has to many life skills that ADHD genes would be selected along with genes for higher IQ as a counterbalance, with both combined together conferring unique advantages.

Re: The Curse of Genius

#47
post #28

Having worked in Silicon Valley with some really really smart people. I wonder how many people think they are genius because their circle is limited? When you work in the valley for any period of time you think you might have a shot, and you might. If you get a chance to meet one of the founders of a well known valley company and have a conversation the realization that luck had nothing to do with their success shoul…

> the realization that luck had nothing to do with their success should happen

Convince me.

Re: The Curse of Genius

#48

> Even Albert Einstein, one of the most emblematic examples of genius, wrote in 1952: “It is strange to be known so universally and yet be so lonely.” Really so strange. I'm just trying to see how lonely he must have felt having to keep to himself.

Tho, Einsteins feeling of loneliness might have to do with things that have nothing to do with being genius - like the way his marriage went down. Some of it had zero to do with being genius and more to do with other stuff.

Having to emigrate also makes one more lonely. You would need to compare other people in similar situation to see whether he is unusually lonely.

Re: The Curse of Genius

#50

I remember understanding people talking but not knowing how to speak when I was very little. I guess I’m a genius

All babies understand language before they can speak. One of the reasons baby sign language works is because it doesn’t require the fine motor control that speaking does, so can be used earlier.

But also, permanent memory develops well after the kid speaks normally, so either he learned to speak later, or he formed that memory unusually soon or he is making things up. I bet three.
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