>>12188552>and it turned out they were actually only above average intelligence, but just autistically dedicated to their pursuits?I suspect it was both, but how many people are so obsessed with a scientific pursuit that they think about it 24/7? Feynam was definitely obsessed:
>When famed physicist Richard Feynman and his second wife split in 1956, it made for a quirky newspaper item that was syndicated around the country. “Mrs. Feynman won a divorce on cruelty grounds after testifying that her husband worked calculus problems all day,” the copy read. He did math “as soon as he arose, while he drove his car,” even “while lying in bed at night.” When he wasn’t doing that, he was playing drums, which “made a terrific noise.” If she tried to talk to him, he said she was interrupting his work. She got alimony; he got the bongos.So, it may be that if you aren't a genius, you can still accomplish a lot by focusing on something during almost every waking hour. Good luck finding something that inspires that kind of passion.
