Have you ever met someone who seemed like an absolute genius, but in reality you found out they were actually quite crazy? Like Forrest Gump, if he were a billionaire and a super genius, we would say he had “the gift”. But what if that gift actually hurts you and your relationships with those around you? How can you identify when a genius has become a danger?
As it turns out, there is a way to tell. Let’s say you run into a genius who happened to be obsessed with celebrity. Now, that may seem like an odd obsession to have, but it’s actually quite common. It’s quite possible he may even believe that he is a celebrity and you’re just not seeing it. In order to help you determine whether or not he is a dangerous genius, we sat down with a professional who has spent her whole life studying and understanding this particular disorder. We’ll call her Dr. Jenny – not her real name. She’s agreed to share her expertise with us and give you some tools that will help you identify when a genius has become a danger. So sit back and listen up, because here comes the science.
The Psychology Of Being Nervous Around A Genius
Dr. Jenny told us that while most people will be nervous around a genius, it’s not necessarily a bad thing. In some cases, it can be a good thing. It depends on how you feel about geniuses generally and what makes you nervous in particular. There are three ways in which being nervous around a genius can be a good thing. First, it can indicate that you’re paying attention. It shows that you respect the person and their intellect. So, it indicates that you’re open-minded. Second, it can help you determine your boundaries. You know – what’s appropriate and what’s not. So, it can help improve your social skills. Finally, being nervous can keep you alert. You’re constantly assessing your surroundings and paying attention to detail. So, it can improve your focus and concentration. So, in some cases, being nervous can be positive. But in other cases, it can be problematic. Here’s how.
Positive
Let’s say that you feel friendly towards geniuses. You admire their genius and you have a lot of respect for them as people. In this case, being nervous can be positive. It can indicate to you that you’re paying attention and that you care. So, it can show that you’re paying a bit more attention to detail and acting on it. For example, if you’re in a restaurant and you notice that the person at the next table is eating fish and you’re allergic to it, you’ll probably have a bit of a panic attack. So, being aware of your allergies is good. It can keep you safe from food poisoning. It can also keep you alert and on your toes. So, if you feel friendly towards geniuses, then nervousness can be good. It can keep you safe and it can make you aware of your surroundings. It can even keep you inspired. It can be a creative spark. So, in some cases, it can be useful. You might even say that it can be a healthy sign. In rare cases, it can even be a source of happiness. For example, Albert Einstein was described as a bit of a social oddball, who avoided people. He loved to sit in his room and reflect. One of his biographers claimed that he often remarked that he felt happiest when he was doing nothing. So, it’s not difficult to see how he might have derived some peace and contentment from his nervousness. So, in some cases, being nervous can be useful. It can even be beneficial for your health. It depends on what you want to get out of it. This is why it’s not always easy to tell whether or not someone is a genius.
But here’s the catch: no one is an island. Even if you feel friendly towards geniuses, it doesn’t mean that everyone else will. It’s quite possible that some people will see you as a threat. It’s also possible that some people feel threatened by geniuses and avoid interacting with them as a result. The key is being able to identify the people who will see you as a threat and the people who will see you as a friend. If you have a chance to observe a genius in their natural habitat, you’ll have a better idea of how you should approach them. So, before you decide that being nervous is positive, consider the fact that it can be a cause for concern. It depends on what you want to get out of it. If you want to be seen as a friend, then it’s probably best to avoid showing your nervousness. It can be hard to tell when someone is your friend and when they’re your enemy. It takes a bit of insight and observation. So, while it might be beneficial for your health and safety, it can also be dangerous. If you want to be seen as a friend, then it’s probably best to avoid showing your nervousness. It’s better to be the one doing the showing off than the one being shown off.
Neutral
Let’s say that you feel neither friendly nor afraid around geniuses. You don’t admire them and you don’t feel threatened by them. In this case, it’s best to let your guard down and approach them like you would any other person. You’re not going to hurt them or their feelings by being overly friendly or nervous. Being overly friendly can sometimes backfire. It takes a bit of tact. While it might be good to avoid being overly aggressive, it can also be good to be a little bit more open. So, while it can be beneficial to show friendliness, it can also be dangerous to do so without proper guidance. Similarly, being overly nervous can sometimes backfire. One of the best things that could happen to someone with Asperger’s Syndrome, for example, is to be in the right place at the right time. It helps them stand out. It helps them fit in. It can inspire others to notice them and their genius. But, if you’re not careful, it can also cause unnecessary anxiety and paranoia. So, it’s not always easy to tell when someone is your friend and when they’re your enemy. It takes time and effort to figure out. So, while it might be beneficial for your mental health, it can also be quite dangerous. Being overly friendly and nervous can sometimes backfire. You might end up doing more harm than good.
The key, once again, is in being observant. It’s not enough to just see someone’s genius. You have to see how they use it and whether or not it’s actually harming anyone. You can’t make assumptions. You have to be ready to act. So, while it might be beneficial to be overly friendly and open towards someone with Asperger’s Syndrome or another form of autism, it might also be a strategy that backfires. You have to be ready to watch and see how others respond. It takes time and it takes effort. So, while it might be good for your mental health, it can also be quite dangerous. Being too open and too friendly can sometimes backfire. You might end up doing more harm than good. Sometimes, the greatest discoveries are made by accident. So, while it’s perfectly fine to be open-minded and optimistic, it doesn’t hurt to be a little bit wary. Be ready to pull back. It’s easier to be the one with the geniuses than the one needing them. After all, they are the experts in their field. You’re just trying to survive day-to-day life. So, it’s best to be the one with the insight, rather than the one needing it.
The last thing anyone wants is to be hurt by a genius, or anyone for that matter. So, while it might be perfectly acceptable to admire someone’s genius and even want to emulate it (if it’s not harmful), it’s still not advisable for your own good. It doesn’t have to be negative. It’s all about your intentions. It’s about what you want out of the experience. You have to be careful. Sometimes, the greatest discoveries are made by accident. While it’s perfectly acceptable to be proud of a genius discovery, it doesn’t mean that you have to flaunt it. It’s all about your intentions. Sometimes, the most genuine experts are the ones who don’t need to boast. They’re the ones who are grateful for any recognition they get. They don’t have to show off their genius. So, while it’s perfectly acceptable to admire and want to be like a genius, it’s also not advisable for your own good. Keep your guard up. Be careful who you admire, but be proud that you’re even able to admire them. Sometimes, the greatest discoveries are made by accident. While it’s perfectly acceptable to be proud of a genius discovery, it doesn’t mean that you have to flaunt it. It’s all about your intentions.