Both geniuses and madmen pay attention to what others ignore
Every time I read one of these articles about genius and madness, I become smug for a little while, then I get depressed because I realize that I haven&#x27;t accomplished anything noteworthy, then I&#x27;m mildly reassured because occasionally my wife will spontaneously aver (contrary to all expectation) that I am a genius, then I get distracted and start chasing some ideas, then I get depressed again because, well, shit, I still haven&#x27;t accomplished anything that anyone but my wife knows about, and anyway these ideas I chase are very interesting but once I&#x27;ve figured it out, I am satisfied and don&#x27;t share it with anyone, because I don&#x27;t really give a shit about becoming known as a genius, if I even am (which I doubt seriously).<p>Then, as a general rule, I start drinking if I have no obligations for the evening.  Thankfully this evening I started drinking before I read this, so I can skip all the other stuff and just enjoy this awful feeling as I contemplate several of my friends who have accomplished things, and one of whom is actually a genius, unlike me.<p>Edit: Thank goodness for whisky.  (Did I mention that I predicted Trump&#x27;s victory back in August 2015?  I&#x27;m pretty good at political predictions.)  (No, I don&#x27;t vote, and my predictions don&#x27;t imply endorsement.  All politicians suck, even those who aren&#x27;t (or weren&#x27;t) politicians.)<p>Also, if I ever accomplish anything noteworthy, I will let you poor HN comment readers know immediately.