I have seen this phenomenon a few times.  I think because they got so much positive reinforcement early on; they feel at ease spouting off their wacky theories?  After all, they are geniuses.  They are allowed to say what ever comes to mind, but only later in life?  After they carved out a comfortable life?<p>I&#x27;ve seen the same behavior in way too many wealthy individuals.  Just because they are filthy rich; they can spout off whatever comes to mind, and we give them a get out of jail card because we assume intelligence equates with wealth.  Trump comes to mind.<p>I don&#x27;t know much about Balmer.  I just saw a huge, out of shape guy, playing cheerleader for Gates.  Sorry--it&#x27;s just what I saw on the tube.  It was obvious Apple, and open source was going to trounce Microsoft.  I do think Balmer saw the fall of Microsoft comming--maybe before Gates?  Hell--I&#x27;m being modest--we all hated Microsoft. He did his best at milking a sinking ship.   That is genius, but wouldn&#x27;t a simpleton do the same?<p>I have met very few geniuses who were wealthy.  The extremely smart individuals, I have known, or watched, did not become very wealthy.  Their intelligence seemed to hold them back in too many situations, or maybe they had a higher level of integrity?  That integrity that needs to be broken&#x2F;desimated in too many business situations?  That integrity that need to be twisted when becoming very wealthy?  
What really bothers me most is way too many of the best students&#x2F;best minds had nervous breakdowns.  I have seen too many great people just crack?<p>I wish we would stop calling these guys geniuses just because they are wealthy in business.  It&#x27;s getting old.<p>Now the guy who can carve out a comfortable life, not steal, not take advantage of the weak, has a few people who truly love them, add a few original ideas to this thing we call life; that smart?