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The Breakdown
Newton’s résumé is certainly more diverse; he’s got the gravity thing, calculus, his contributions to optics, and his laws of motion. Each of those things would make him a standout genius in history. Beethoven, though, has scores of brilliant compositions and the impressive feat that he overcame deafness to write them. Beethoven was the central figure in music’s transition from Classicism to Romanticism, while Newton was able to formulate calculus while he was stuck at home for two years during a plague outbreak. Neither of these guys is a slouch, but who gets the genius nod?
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Everyone talks about how “great” Beethoven was. Beethoven wasn’t so great. He never got his picture on bubble gum cards, did he? Have you
ever seen his picture on a bubble gum card? Hmmm? How can you say
someone is great who’s never had his picture on bubble gum cards?
(Someone had to say it!)
posted by Rey on 3-31-2009 at 3:45 pm
Come on peeps, vote for a non-scientist for once!
posted by PeeDee on 3-31-2009 at 4:18 pm
It seems that only sientist are being voted for and i have to say that while newton did give a lot, he also gave us the dreded calculus…..while beethoven gave us a way to relax with his beautiful music…..i have always been a lover of beethoven and the hauntingly beautiful moonlight sonata….
recaptcha: excellent until…..
posted by Jennifer on 3-31-2009 at 4:51 pm
Alright…here’s how I see it.
Science is definite. It is fact. It’s just a matter of who discovers what and when.
Thus it stands to reason that the Newton’s achievements, though undoubtedly tremendous, were just finding what there was to be found before anybody else did.
Beethoven’s achievements on the other hand, were CREATIONS which puts him on a greater plane of brlliance than Newton.
Beethoven is also unique due to the fact that his achievements (in his case; creations) would not have been replicated by anyone else wih the luxury of time.
The same cannot be said for Newton.
posted by Mike Vafanculo on 4-1-2009 at 3:15 am