Ask A Genius 708: Super Duper High-IQ People
Author(s): Scott Douglas Jacobsen and Rick Rosner
Publication (Outlet/Website): Ask A Genius
Publication Date (yyyy/mm/dd): 2022/02/02
[Recording Start]
Scott Douglas Jacobsen: What is the reason behind extremely intelligent individuals often becoming so obsessive that it negatively impacts all other aspects of their lives?
Rick Rosner: Although not a universal trait among high IQ individuals, obsession can certainly be a pitfall for some. Take Keith Rainiere, for instance, whose involvement in a notorious sex cult led to his life imprisonment, leaving behind a path of destruction including his own wife. There’s a certain fascination, almost a schadenfreude, in hearing about highly intelligent people who deviate towards such obsessive tendencies.
In my experience, the same drive for discovery that propels one towards beneficial knowledge can also lead down less productive paths. For example, I once became engrossed in a legal battle with the quiz show ‘Who Wants To Be A Millionaire’ over a disputed question. To support my case, I analyzed over 110,000 questions from various international versions of the show. Despite my extensive efforts, the lawsuit was ultimately dismissed, resulting in a significant waste of time.
More recently, I’ve developed an interest in mosaic art, partly inspired by my wife’s love for micro mosaic jewelry, which is surprisingly affordable on platforms like eBay. Through this, I discovered a passion for mosaics, particularly the exceptional works from Saint Petersburg, Russia. This interest led me to engage in art therapy with my 89-year-old mother-in-law, who is experiencing age-related cognitive decline. We’ve completed projects together, like a mosaic of a boxer or French bulldog, reminiscent of the ones stolen from Lady Gaga’s dog walker. Currently, we’re working on a more complex cat mosaic, inspired by the Chiaroscuro technique, an Italian method emphasizing light and shadow in art.
The mosaic, converted from a photograph into a do-it-yourself pattern, comes with six colors of tiles, creating a dramatic effect typical of Chiaroscuro, with its stark contrast from the deepest blacks to the brightest whites. Working on this project with my mother-in-law, I’ve found myself consumed with the idea of crafting the finest version of this mosaic cat possible. To enhance the color spectrum, I expanded the palette from six to more than ten colors, utilizing leftover tiles from the French bulldog kit for additional gradations. I’ve even taken to coloring half of each 5-millimeter square tile with art markers to introduce more color gradients. Additionally, I’ve been meticulously filing the tiles for a more precise fit and better gradient effect, to the extent that I’ve worn the skin off my fingertips.
The whiskers in the kit are made by halving a 5-millimeter tile, but that approach didn’t satisfy me. I’ve been slicing the tiles into even thinner strips, starting at about a millimeter and a half in width and tapering to almost nothing. I’ve already devoted 60-70 hours to this project, and we’re only halfway through. The mosaic will eventually adorn an elderly lady’s room in her Board and Care, making me question why I am so dedicated to it, especially considering other priorities.
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This endeavor has revealed an unexpected talent for mosaics. For instance, I’ve become adept at restoring vintage brooches, some over 140 years old, with tiny glass shards as small as a quarter millimeter. Removing my contact lenses, due to my nearsightedness, allows me to focus on objects mere inches from my face.
The irony isn’t lost on me – the minuscule nature of these glass pieces mirrors the triviality of some of the tasks I occupy myself with. Previously, my time was consumed by IQ tests, which at least brought some publicity and opportunities. It makes me wonder if among high IQ individuals, someone has become fixated on actual rabbit holes, developing theories about underground rabbit warrens.
[Recording End]
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In-Sight Publishing by Scott Douglas Jacobsen is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Based on a work at www.in-sightpublishing.com.
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