The fact that some geniuses were laughed at does not imply that all who are laughed at are geniuses. They laughed at Columbus, they laughed at Fulton, they laughed at the Wright brothers. But they also laughed at Bozo the Clown.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Being laughed at doesn't make someone a genius; history includes both innovators and clowns who were mocked.
- In plain terms
- Mockery proves nothing about merit.
- What can you take from it?
- Laughter isn't proof of genius.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How do you know if you're a genius?
- Does rejection prove anything?
Another view
Mockery often targets valid ideas too.
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