Words of Wisdom — May 23, 2014

Einstein on Genius

“Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.” – Albert Einstein

bigthinkeditor

A weekly newsletter featuring the biggest ideas from the smartest people

“Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.” – Albert Einstein

A weekly newsletter featuring the biggest ideas from the smartest people

An older man with white hair and a suit receives a document from another man in a robe during an event, as several people look on in the background. In the age of viral misquotes, capturing such moments accurately becomes ever more crucial.

High Culture

Einstein didn’t say that: How viral misquotes evolve and replicate

From Einstein to Twain, Garson O’Toole investigates the truth behind your favorite — and often misattributed — quotes.

Starts With A Bang

Einstein: The lone genius is pure mythology

Many mavericks look to Einstein as a unique figure, whose lone genius revolutionized the Universe. The big problem? It isn’t true.

Image with a split view: the left half shows a black-and-white image of Earth, the right half depicts a grayscale crowd scene. Text overlay: "More Humans Are Better," with the number "3" in the top right corner.

The Present

The overlooked virtues of a crowded world

In a world of rising cynicism, a celebration of our capacity to create, adapt, and thrive.

Starts With A Bang

The true reason why Einstein was history’s greatest physicist

Although many of Einstein’s papers revolutionized physics, there’s one Einsteinian advance, generally, that towers over all the rest.

A black and white photo of albert einstein laughing.

Starts With A Bang

Einstein’s 7 rules for a better life

The most celebrated genius in human history didn’t just revolutionize physics, but taught many valuable lessons about living a better life.

Up Next

Words of Wisdom

Cosby on Failure

“I don’t know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everyone.” – Bill Cosby