Madness and Brilliance

How do we know that we are going mad, that our thoughts are no longer lucid and connected with reality? Are we capable of truly objective about ourselves, especially about the workings of our minds? How do we know if we are suffering from delusions and denials? I submit that we don't. Maybe at the beginning we are conscious of our eccentricities and oddities, but once we cross the point of no return into the realm of madness, self-awareness is losing its potency with each passing day unless the brain somehow gets healed by some internal regeneration either spontaneously through meditation, change of diet or introduction of therapeutic chemicals (drugs).

I knew Hitler was mad when he ordered the burning of Paris in the face of the advancing forces of the Allies. Fortunately his generals bravely refused to follow his order. Additionally, I knew Hitler was mad when he conscripted teenage boys to defend Germany. The picture of the rapidly aging Hitler shaking hands of the young teenagers of the brigade to "defend" Berlin showed the "The Führer" was in advanced stages of madness. Madness aside, there was evidence that Hitler was brilliant and full of vitality in his prime. And he did have leadership qualities and did inspire fierce loyalty almost to the very end.

Quaddafi was not as brilliant as Hitler, but his madness was almost up to par. Eccentricity is often the sign of madness or brilliance or the combination of the two. Quaddafi has been odd a long time. His long tenure of autocratic rule reflected his brilliance. But when he gave a speech about fighting to the last drop of his blood and his willingness of being a martyr, I sensed that he was mad, not just determined. My suspicion was confirmed when he showed no love for his countrymen by ordering aerial bombardment of civilians and merciless revenge killings.

My interest in madness has a long history, both for personal and scientific reasons. The reason for today's reflection on this subject was two-fold. I just came across another book on cognitive science. And I just had lunch with a brillliant but clearly delusional Russian immigrant. He is kind-hearted and well-read, but his head is full of conspiracy theories and he could not help making fantastic stories about his accomplishments which clearly defied statistical odds. Today he predicted there would be no 2012 election and that Obama was a communist plant sent to destroy America. He also accused me of being a communist. When I replied that I was only a socialist and deftly supplied reasons for my self-regard, he became quiet and changed the subject. When the lunch was over, he shook hands and said he was sorry if he had offended me in any way. So, he still has moments of lucidity and self-awareness. I have a distinct impression that at least two Viet expatriates I know are very odd and do indeed exhibit patterns of behavior that reflects madness. But they could be saying the same thing about me.

Roberto Wissai