Bigthink - Idea Comments Feed

Comment on: Why are the majority of history's great thinkers and artists insane?

Bigthink — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 16:14:21 +0100

It%u2019s all a matter of perception. da Vinci was insane because he thought humans could build machines that would fly vertically or create indestructible battle carriages that had on-board artillery. Now we call them helicopters and tanks and hail him a genius. Dali was insane because it was good publicity and many others were more chemical addicts and less insane.

In most cases I think that the public rejects that which they don%u2019t fully understand and classify it as insane rather than have to deal with it for what it is - something new.

Comment on: Why are the majority of history's great thinkers and artists insane?

Bigthink — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 21:01:06 +0100

Its not actually true that most great artists, thinkers, and so on, are insane. This is a romantic fable. Of course, like any good story, it may be very useful. For example, if you are a creative thoughtful person who gets excluded from the crowds around you this may be very comforting and inspirational. I guess I'm saying that this idea has some important truth to it, but not the usual objective kind.

Comment on: Why are the majority of history's great thinkers and artists insane?

Bigthink — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 17:21:48 +0100

Perhaps it takes a certain type of mentality to get into the creative work in the first place - a mentality that makes the person proner to mental illness than your "regular" Joe? Maybe it's not the insanity that comes from being a genius, but the genius or creativity that comes from being insane. Circular causality maybe?

Comment on: Why are the majority of history's great thinkers and artists insane?

Bigthink — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 19:32:10 +0100

What is insanity? as an artist someone once told me that being creative is 2 steps away from insanity how do you stop yourself going over the edge?? Who is to say that one persons insanity is just another persons creativity or visa versa. Maybe its societys lack of understanding to different thoughts??

Comment on: Why are the majority of history's great thinkers and artists insane?

Bigthink — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 05:43:02 +0100

Genius is slipper slope.

Comment on: Why are the majority of history's great thinkers and artists insane?

Bigthink — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 04:53:47 +0100

Over-eating and slothing on the couch while watching a box with pretty colors and sounds is "THE NORM" today.

Do you think that is Sane or Insane?

If SANE, Have long has it been since you went outside and took a walk in the forest?

If INSANE, How long do you think this society will last unless we change?