The Difference Between Genius and Stupidity

"The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has limits." - Albert Einstein

Besides the obvious difference, I like to explore the defining of genius and stupidity. Mere IQ score probably isn't it. If it was, job interviews for high profile companies will only consist of an IQ test.

Any one can be entirely convinced that they are genius or stupid within the bounds of his four walls. Any artist can believe the reason why people don't buy his work is because they don't understand the art, not because his work is poor. And same for any other aspiring engineers, businessman, novelist and what not. However, notice, buying an artwork or a new engineering marvel or a business proposition has to be carried out by other people. So the perception of you by other people is more important than perception of yourself. Simply, whether someone is genius or not is labeling of people. It's not a quality of a person, as Einstein and many other people had suggested. We've been labeling people as long as human civilization. One person may label you as a genius and other person may label you dim-wit. In that sense, everyone can be a genius and a stupid at the same time. So, what's the difference between genius and stupidity? Nothing. For every one person who labels you stupid, there's one other person who labels you genius.

 
Crooked Minds of Tomorrow

I've decided to be a freelance computer programmer while I'm in my summer break from school. I thought it's great idea to spend the summer and make money for something that I do best. I thought this is by far better than flipping burgers at McDonald's.

People who wants to buy a customized software posts their requirements on this website and programmers like myself bids how much money they'll write the program. It sounded like legitimate place of business. I was stunned to see some people were actually posting their school assignments. They want someone else to do their homework for them. And the even more shocking thing is that I bided for it. This is not the first time I helped someone cheat on his homework, but this is the first time I'd be asking money for it. I feel something uneasy in my stomach.

Sure, I can rationalize this and convince myself that this is nothing like prostitution, and I'm sure the other party can do the same. But if this is the beginning of my loss of innocence, then I'll be trading my innocence for mere $10. Or maybe I've already lost it long time ago.

There is no doubt today's young minds will be the tomorrow's minds of the working society. But if one college student helps another student cheat, for money, which one is the crooked one?