TED Conversations

Barney Woods

This conversation is closed. Start a new conversation
or join one »

Is there a link between insanity and genius?

Insanity, genius, mental illness and madness are all labels we give to people who think and behave in ways that seem beyond, or outside what is seen as 'normal'.

Firsly, what is 'normal', and who labels it so?

Does 'mental illness' deserve such a label, or can so-called normality widen its scope to accept it as 'thinking differently' instead?

What and where is the demarcation line between madness and genius - and who draws that line?

Related Talks:
0
Share:

Showing single comment thread. View the full conversation.

  • thumb

    Greg McWhorter 500+

    • 0
    TEDx Organizer
    Aug 29 2012: I think that sometimes they are one and the same...at least to a degree. I'm sure that many people thought Einstein was crazy, but we look to him as a pure genius now.

Showing single comment thread. View the full conversation.