Genius and Insanity

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http://medicaldaily.com/news/20120604/1 ... sorder.htm

nothing is easier than for an unimaginative scientist to get a grant to prove some assertion that is little more than a popular cliche tricked out in statistical analysis. i wish those people would get an honest job making things that people need, i wish there was a way to get this money transferred instead to the poor, & i wish the journalism machine had enough integrity to refuse to propagate such items when they do appear.

no doubt it is a considerable consolation to the masses to believe this. as dedicated to truth as i am, i would break it to them gently that the more intelligent a person is, the more sane they are--& the farther removed from the delusions that pass for received knowledge.

would it not be enough explanation that when you are more right but outnumbered, the struggle itself tends to swamp one's equilibrium?

If mania is involved, then sometimes.

Let's not confuse delusions with common misconceptions like believing that the death penalty is actually justified or when people used to think that slavery was justified or believing that the earth is round. This a very special kind of intelligence - a kind of ability to think outside the box that forces some people into despair when the whole world is against them (look up "big lie" fallacy).

Thought disorder has no association with intelligence but perhaps creativity due to loose associations.

"Insanity" isn't a very good word to use.

Einstein was a genius, and Stephen Hawking is a genius. I wouldn't call either of them insane. [Einstein was kooky, and Hawking is most likely a little out there, I don't find him as interesting because he doesn't have crazy hilarious hair, but neither is insane.]

Eccentricity or or mental disorders, sure. I think the brain actually has to be wired at least a little bit differently for a large gap in intelligence to occur. Otherwise, everyone would be a super genius. [Mark Twain apparently carried genes for epilepsy, because his daughter died of an epileptic seizure in a bathtub. Sad life.]