[npsimons]

I think the key is to have the humility to realize that we haven't had another Euclid or Archimedes in modern times. Possibly Decartes or Tesla compare, but it's arguable. We've come so far and have such promise, and yet we have so much to lose. I would argue that far from being being doomed to repeating history because we forget, we have the possibility of being the first to wipe out our own race, either through inaction or brazenness.

[awolden]

I think we live in an age of such people. It was easy to stand out as a brilliant polymath when we didn't know ANYTHING. I think we have more geniuses than ever today, but there are so many of them that it no longer feels special. We are advancing our knowledge and technology with dizzying speeds, but we are so accustomed to it that we sit around and go, "Meh, there are no geniuses anymore".

[eruditely]

Might want to rethink your heroes. Save Archimedes.