Why is Genius Frequently Linked with Madness?

[sandmoth12]

If you look back through history at famous poets, artists, mathematicians, writers, and physicists you would realize nearly all of them suffered from mental disorders, yet they accomplished astonishing things.

Why are these two polar opposites seemingly linked so deeply?

[Ichifails]

One can know only so much until it becomes too much and goes insane.

[obdigore]

Because dealing with the rest of society when you are a genius must be even more infuriating than when you are merely slightly above average.

[The Madgod]

If you look back through history at famous poets, artists, mathematicians, writers, and physicists you would realize nearly all of them suffered from mental disorders, yet they accomplished astonishing things.

Why are these two polar opposites seemingly linked so deeply?

they aren't polar opposites for one thing. Intelligence and sanity (or for that matter, whether they are neurotypical or not, since not all mental disorders give you dementia or anything else like that) are two separate sliding scales in the brain.

For another, I can't go into too much detail (as I know very little of it), but basically it's all brain chemistry.

[Sivick]

the line between madness and genius is small. Not only does true genius typically come with some other mental baggage, imagine you lived in a world of retards, where everyone went so slow and couldn't figure things out and couldn't see what you can. I'm more shocked when genius people are sane.

[Oerba Yun Fang]

http://news.yahoo.com/why-genius-mad...221245713.html

[Spectral]

Because they both result from lefthandedness.

[Very Tired]

Sheldon Cooper is a prime example why.


But hes not crazy, his mother had him tested.

[Roose]

Because it takes a lot of control to keep all of the racing ideas in check. Also, knowing how things really are and not being able to fix them must be a really frustrating way to live.

There is a very good reason why ignorance is bliss.

[timmyotoole]

If you look back through history at famous poets, artists, mathematicians, writers, and physicists you would realize nearly all of them suffered from mental disorders, yet they accomplished astonishing things.

Why are these two polar opposites seemingly linked so deeply?

So, you're saying that nearly all of the 193 winners of the Nobel Prize in Physics had mental disorders? I think you'll realize that (A) You've never heard of most of them and (B) Most of them didn't have mental illnesses.

People who have had interesting or tragic lives are more memorable than people who have had mundane lives.

[vizzle]

Are you asking because you're worried you're falling into a descent of madness with your genius? That's the usual conclusion with your threads.

[Sorrior]

Welll as someone who has been called a genius(though i doubt i am i just know alot of trivia/random crap) by their doctors(both therapists and medical) i think it's more to do with how the world is percieved.

One can be "sane" but see the world so differently that you SEEM mad. Add in that the same information can lead to a different interpretation/conclusion and yeah the "mad genius" is born.

[Deleted]

If you look back through history at famous poets, artists, mathematicians, writers, and physicists you would realize nearly all of them suffered from mental disorders, yet they accomplished astonishing things.

Why are these two polar opposites seemingly linked so deeply?

It's hard to be a genius in a world of morons that shun you because you crave for knowledge. It also applies to people who aren't geniuses, but self-reflective.

They have different views upon the world, and they aren't afraid to show it.

[Sorrior]

If you look back through history at famous poets, artists, mathematicians, writers, and physicists you would realize nearly all of them suffered from mental disorders, yet they accomplished astonishing things.

Why are these two polar opposites seemingly linked so deeply?

Ohhh ARTISTIC genius. Again comes from seeing the world differently but add in some trauma and you get art as a damn fine outlet.

Apso in an ironic twist I'd say we medicate the "genius" outta said people these days.

---------- Post added 2013-01-29 at 08:09 AM ----------

It's hard to be a genius in a world of morons that shun you because you crave for knowledge. It also applies to people who aren't geniuses, but self-reflective.

They have different views upon the world, and they aren't afraid to show it.

Tell me about. I still remember a teacher jumpibg down my throat for reading my history book upside down(it was boring so i made it more fun LOL) and asking "how does a TV work" which was really a way of asking what the basecode of the universe is LOL.

[Uennie]

Imagine you're the only human being on earth surrounded by dogs, and then, you find another human!

[Felya]

Because in both cases, you see what others don't...

[Deleted]

They are not polar opposites, they are very close actually. Both need good imagination, the difference is that the geniuses retain the grip over reality, the mad don't.

[Sorrior]

They are not polar opposites, they are very close actually. Both need good imagination, the difference is that the geniuses retain the grip over reality, the mad don't.

Or they let said madness run wild while watching it like a hawk to leash it when needed.

---------- Post added 2013-01-29 at 08:24 AM ----------

Imagine you're the only human being on earth surrounded by dogs, and then, you find another human!

Don't insult dogs boy. I'd say more like being born into the wrong time/planet....Things that can seem obvious to you are mindblowing or insanity to others...It's quite a vexing feeling TBH.

[Catta]

Sheldon Cooper is a prime example why.


But hes not crazy, his mother had him tested.

She should have taken him to that specialist in Houston though...

[Uennie]

Or they let said madness run wild while watching it like a hawk to leash it when needed.

---------- Post added 2013-01-29 at 08:24 AM ----------



Don't insult dogs boy. I'd say more like being born into the wrong time/planet....Things that can seem obvious to you are mindblowing or insanity to others...It's quite a vexing feeling TBH.

I can't help but look at that and think that you tone seems a little pointed, gender-to-be-identified-as-child-version-in-an-attempt-to-be-condescending.

It's a reference to The Big Bang Theory.