crazy or gifted?  

Have you ever noticed how many of the famous people in history have had times in their life where they didn't seem mentally stable? To be precise, I'm talking about those who contributed to the world of literature, art, and science. They are geniuses, for sure. But to be a genius, can it mean you have a mental deffect as well?

Let's look at Vincent Van Gogh. I'm sure many of you have either heard of how he cut one of his ears off or how he tried to eat his paint in a mental hospital. His art today is known worldwide and is studied and admired by billions.

How about Edgar Allen Poe. Yes, it could have been that he was just mentally depressed and was driven to drink which led to his death (supposedly). But could it be that his dark inspiration from his life had driven him deeper into the complex depths of "insanity" and produced the beloved poems and stories we know today?

Can insanity be an element to genius? They were certainly not simple minded. Can talent come from the crazy?