This was a very interesting thread to read through, and some great points have been made in it.
I can't say I understand the dilemmas and struggles of the geniuses. I was under the assumption it was easy, so yesterday I started some propaganda that it is easier to be a genius that to be stupid err.. unintelligent. I made some comments and overall just tried to convey that the genius doesn't really know what real struggle is because they can basically solve any problem they come across. Most people probably don't even know that I was doing this which is typical that I would do something with a message and it would be completely lost on people because I suck at explaining stuff. I am just above average intelligence FYI, but if you're a genius you already know this.
So, whats it like being a genius? What are some of the struggles?
Also I spelled genius wrong on purpose.
There are definitely different forms of intelligence, though it would seem that not all types of intelligence are considered part of being a genius, and I am also certain that every person whom might be considered a genius is different. I know that I am not a genius, nor anywhere comparable to one. I have struggled my whole life with school and many subjects were hard for me to comprehend (geometry, grammar, etc.).
I cannot speak for myself, but I can speak from some of my observations of those who I have felt were highly intelligent individuals.
I have a younger brother (INTJ) who is extremely intelligent, he would do calculus and physics in his free time in his early teen years because he was so fascinated by them, and he was good at it too; it seemed like literally anything he chose to learn he would pick up and understand in a relatively short period of time. I admit I was jealous of him at times and would get frustrated when I was struggling with my piano lessons and he would pick up a very difficult song and learn it perfectly in a matter of days. It was also embarrassing asking him for help with my homework, since he is three years younger than me. There is nothing he enjoys more than discussing hard equations or abstract theories.
As intelligent as my younger brother is, I don't think he is as mechanical minded, and he doesn't work too much with hands on contraptions, more so theory, equations and the like. I have an older brother (ISTJ) on the other hand who is very intelligent in working with mechanical things, he spends all of his free time working on rebuilding engines and designing ways of improving these things. It sometimes feels like anything of a mechanical nature he has a storehouse of knowledge on, and he loves to theorize and experiment with ideas of improving the structure, design and mechanisms related. He is also good with mathematics and calculus.
Both are hard workers and literally put their life into their interests, which I admire. As for whether they have better lives than others or not, it is hard to tell, my younger brother never shares any emotions or feelings, though I know he has them and I can always sense when he is down, but when he is around us he usually is always in a cheerful mood. I have seen him looking rather overcast a few times when he presumed himself alone...though I am not certain as to whether he was just deep deep in thought or something heavy was on his mind; perhaps both.
My older brother usually always seems to have a neutral attitude and disposition. I have noted that if he doesn't keep himself occupied with things he is interested in, he can get a bit down. I don't know where he gets his drive and motivation from, but sometimes I think he overworks himself. Both of my brothers seem content for the most part and they have friends with the same interests and pursuits as they have which they like to spend time with. I believe this helps boost their motivation.
I think that those who are intelligent do have struggles, and their struggles and dilemmas I believe are often related to not being understood or not having much support from others. As much of a loner as someone may be, and as many different types of intelligence as there are, deep down I think that every one of those people want to have someone they can relate to and feel understood by. They have a deep understanding of something, or many things, and perhaps they may have inspirations and an intuitive and abstract understanding of something, but being unable to have an understanding from others with that, I can imagine how it would be frustrating to be unable to convey those things and be understood for what they actually intended it to mean. In which they may resort to writing it out or reading from authors whom they can relate to.
I think that nearly every one of us and everyone whom we have ever met has in some way or another experienced being different and unable to relate with another in some way or other, regardless of intelligence, though certainly some may experience it more than others, considering how it can be for one who is different in comparison to the majority, it makes it all the more a struggle, in daily life, in political views, in belief systems, etc.
So I do believe that a genius may have it harder than many people, though I do not believe they have it harder than everyone, and I think that our struggles are often related to our attitude with life, though it does bring to mind an old proverb "for in much wisdom is much vexation, and he that increases knowledge increases sorrow." Which I think has accuracy to it.
I would assume that the best way to find this question out would be to somehow find a good amount of brilliant intelligent people from around the planet (again, assuming intelligence based on how everyone seems to perceive it), categorize them into specific intelligence groups, since that would help make the statistical information more informative, and survey them on it. I am sure that there would be varying results, even among those with the same strengths and intellectual pursuits, though it is just my guess. I assume this since most statistical information that is gathered usually does have some variance within it.
Wow, I just rambled a whole bunch, though observing others is a big interest of mine.
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