Mentally Amiss

Have you ever noticed how most intellectuals have something mentally amiss with them? A famous example is Einstein, who had dyslexia since birth, yet remains one of the greatest scientists. In my IB English, we discussed Sylvia Plath, a poet who a known to have bipolar, yet produced some of the most profound pieces of poetic literature. I mean, the list goes on: Issac Newton had bipolar disorder, Charles Darwin had OCD and agoraphobia, Beethoven likely suffered from bipolar disorder and depression, etc. The pattern of being mentally unwell/disabled yet possessing such great knowledge is undeniable. It makes one wonder that perhaps those who have been born with a mental disadvantage, in fact, are the ones who have the highest advantage of all. Their minds don't allow themselves to hold back in the constraints of modern society; they are free to think and feel for themselves. So, is the structure we have built around us truly allowing each individual to reach their full potential? I think not. Those who have experienced different emotions and unique life experiences have a wealth of insights and questions to share. Maybe if we, as a part of an ever-growing society, conformists, are allowing our natural and original thoughts to go to waste by morphing into one big yes-man that looks and acts the same as everyone else. And I am aware, this is not an original or profound thought, but one that is often overlooked. God knows how many more Beethovens are slaving away in an office cubicle or Sylvia Plaths locked behind a McDonald's drive-thru. And, truthfully, if it means that I have to slave away my life to mental illnesses like depression, anxiety, or even OCD to truly reach my true intellectual self, I would in a heartbeat. But, ironically, all those who have given their lives to the corporate world suffer from depression regardless. All I mean to say is that if we are bound for the same ending, why even consider being well fit for society when you can very much be the next Sylvia Plath.