Who is/was your favorite genius?

[quantum mechanic]

I'm listening to J.S. Bach's Christmas Oratorio (Weihnachtsoratorium, for those who prefer the original language), and it's pretty amazing how he used the different vocal and instrumental parts and countermelodies and lots of other things to create truly awesome music. I have never seen a Bach piece that wasn't well written (admittedly, any bad ones wouldn't have survived). I realize this is subjective, but he was a pretty impressive guy.

So, who is/was your favorite genius?

Edit: "Genius" refers to someone with truly exceptional talent in at least one area. It doesn't have to be someone intellectually smart.

 

[T3h Merc]

Joss Whedon. Goddamn I love that guy.

 

[Cherry Cola]

Einstein.

Boring answer maybe, but he was awesome.

 

[Instant K4rma]

George Harrison. A musical genius who I think wasnt able to show his full potential until later in his career. I wish the Beatles had let George write/sing more songs than he did. I feel his songs had the most meaning, and that he was the most vocally talented of the group. I Me Mine (written by George? Not sure.), Here Comes the Sun, While My Guitar Gently Weeps? Fantastic songs, all Harrison.

 

[Souplex]

Me. Obviously.

 

[Azure-Supernova]

Big Boss... not conventional... but... hey...

 

[clericalerror]

Penn and Teller

House (fictional genius okay?)

Steven Long (created the Champions roleplaying system and setting. True genius)

 

[Jammerz]

House... He is a genius!!!!!!!

 

[sethisjimmy]

Batman.

 

[Jark212]

Wernher von Braun

Spoiler

 

[TheLastCylon]

Carl Sagan

 

[tkioz]

Nikola Tesla, dude was a freaking legend, invented things we still use today, did super crap with tiny resources we still can't duplicate today... best of all he's like a movie mad scientist, one "yo momma" insult away from blowing up the planet.

 

[Always_Remain]

Phoenix Wright since he lives in a world were everybody is either batshit insane/so retarded then drool stupid out of their rectum/has huge American titties/completely evil and yet he still copes with everyone and solves cases cases with zero effort. because I'm using all the effort. (not really.)

but really uhh John Lennon or George Harrison. Oh Jeff Buckley was pretty amazing too.

And Dave Grohl gets an honorable mention.

 

[Soren91]

Dang my two choices were already picked. Tesla and Einstein FTW

 

[Bruden]

Nikola Tesla, dude was a freaking legend, invented things we still use today, did super crap with tiny resources we still can't duplicate today... best of all he's like a movie mad scientist, one "yo momma" insult away from blowing up the planet.

Anyone who doesn't pick Tesla has officially answered this question wrong.

Seriously though, the man is pretty much directly responsible for everything we love today, if Tesla isn't your #1 super-genius you need to go read up on him.

 

[doopdoopdoopdoop]

doop doop doop doop doop

 

[Mcupobob]

Leonardo Da Vinci, becuause he was so far ahead of his time and was a brillant artise inventor and military strategies. obviously one the smarties man to live.

 

[Chummychanga]

Leonardo Da Vinci. Holy shite that guy was awsome! It's really interesting to read biography's on him.

 

[Simriel]

Myself. I am incredibly incredible in every way. And I don't have no flying brolly.