> The problem of excess genius is one of the most important questions I can imagine, but very little progress has been made. It surprises me that essentially no scholarly effort has been directed towards it. I warmly solicit any suggestions from readers that may help me to clarify my own confusion and uncertainty regarding this.
Excess tends to have a negative connotation, but not as used in the article. It also mentions that "the great minds in each of these societies tended to hang out together" which resonates as true based on reading biographies from accomplished philosophers. I'm curious to read your thoughts: