just because someone is "crazy", does that mean you shouldn't listen to what they have to say? (more details)

Question

history is filled with people who's brilliant ideas have been desregarded because they are either "crazy", "drug addicts", or "mentally ill". first of all, is there much of a difference between a nut and a genius? and secondly, can't a crazy drug addict have a good idea that's worth listening to once in a while?

also, who is your favorite "nut-case" and what did they contribute to the human race?

Answer 1

There is a difference between a person who looks at something and sees things in a different way and some guy who is upset because Soupy Sales is sending lesbian meatloaf recipes through his penis

Answer 2

First you must understand history - it was written by the victors as the famous quote goes. So, many of history's "villains" have indeed been described in the terms you have mentioned because those who vanquished them wanted to improve their own greatness.

I might also observe that many of histories celebrated geniuses (e.g. Einstein, Beethoven, Mozart, Paganini) have been similarly maligned as at least somewhat looney despite their obvious and acknowledged capacity.

Bottom line, genius sometimes looks like crazy, and the world clearly doesn't understand either genius or crazy. So, we probably can't trust its opinion on the subject without a little actual (uh oh) *thought*. :-)

Xan Shui,
Philosophic Philanthropist, Honest Man

Answer 3

Crazy or mentally ill ? If you look back in history you will see that what is thought of as sane does change?
So I say why not listen? I'm sure it isn't going to hurt you & it might give you a better way to look at things. It's worth a try. You can always disreguard what you hear.

Answer 4

I have spoken to many people that would seem to be crazy, bums, homeless and such. Believe it or not they can spout many truths between the ranting and raving. I love the arts and I think about Vincent Van Gough who cut off his ear but left us with his world of art, Lugwig Van Beethoven who went deaf and wrote his best music in that condition. Excellence is to do a common thing in an uncommon way.

Answer 5

I've worked in the medical field for many years. I've listened to many people that I thought had a loose screw, was crazy, a brick short of a full load or just wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed. They all were worth listening to. The big issue is how you act on what "they" say.

Answer 6

everyone has an opinion no matter if their crazy or not. people deserve to be listened to and heard out without being made fun of.
my favorite nut case is divinci. he inspired million since the renaissance.

Answer 7

When crazy people talk about the lions from mars in their beer they obviously have nothing worthwhile to say. The fact they have no grasp of reality probably deems their ideas unreasonable.

Answer 8

You're right, just because a person is considered "crazy" by our standards doesn't mean that they don't have good ideas. Didn't people think Columbus was crazy for thinking the world wasn't flat? :))

Answer 9

We listen to teachers and professors who have Ph.Ds. and we sometimes think of them as crazy. Some drug addicts can be considered musical geniuses (rock stars are one example).

Einstein and Da Vinci were definitely weirdos but were true geniuses.

Answer 10

Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean people AREN'T out to get you.
"I'm crazy, I'm not stupid."
By the same token, just because everyone thinks you are crazy, it doesn't mean you are a genius.
Philo T. Farnsworth invented the TV. Then he refused to watch it.