# Is there anyone on the SDMB who will go down in history as a great mind? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 8, 2002, 6:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-anyone-on-the-sdmb-who-will-go-down-in-history-as-a-great-mind/112950 "2002-06-08T06:30:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Sylkyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/da6949/32.png) [@Sylkyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sylkyn)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2002, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-anyone-on-the-sdmb-who-will-go-down-in-history-as-a-great-mind/112950/21 "2002-06-11T02:43:59Z")
Even though I rarely (in fact, have probably never) posted to one of her threads, I think **Stoid** is absolutely brilliant. I rarely agree with her, but hey…she at least gets me to see her side of just about everything. Trust me, you _gotta_ be smart to pull that off with me! **biggirl** is another poster who is on top of the “brainiac” list. Plus, she’s witty and not afraid to say exactly what she thinks, two things I heartily admire. **OpalCat** ,IMNSO, is the Queen Computer Guru, as far as I’m concerned. She _knows her stuff_ on anything computer related. [sub][sup]I wanna be just like her when I grow up! :D[/sub][/sup] **Anthracite** is also a Computer Guru, and therefore shares my respect and admiration for her intellect and insight. There are many, many people on this board that just astound me with their intelligence, but I put these people right up there on the top of my list. You go, gals! ---
**Author:** ![Netbrian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/71e660/32.png) [@Netbrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Netbrian)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2002, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-anyone-on-the-sdmb-who-will-go-down-in-history-as-a-great-mind/112950/22 "2002-06-11T03:04:42Z")
Oh! I have opinions too! **Tomndebb** was the first that lept to my mind, just for the research and well educated posts… **Collunsbury** for extensive knowledge of Africa and the Middle East, which is sorely lacking and sorely needed these days. **The Bad Astronomer** and **Chronos** for their invaluable science knowledge. **KellyM** too, for computer genius and tolerance-promotion. I know I’m forgetting so many people I think are absolutly brilliant, these were simply on the forefront of my mind. For instance, I left off a lot of the biology people like Ben and edwino, more of the computer gurus, the logically superstrong lawyers like Jodi… This is why this board is great! ---
**Author:** ![Epimetheus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c4cdca/32.png) [@Epimetheus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Epimetheus)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2002, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-anyone-on-the-sdmb-who-will-go-down-in-history-as-a-great-mind/112950/23 "2002-06-11T03:20:37Z")
What history are we talking about? Board history, or change the world greatest mind of the centry type? ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2002, 9:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-anyone-on-the-sdmb-who-will-go-down-in-history-as-a-great-mind/112950/24 "2002-06-11T09:35:42Z")
I think there are an awful lot of great minds here, far too many to name. But one stands out to me head and shoulders above all others. His towering intellect has been an inspiration to me. He taught me, by example, how to think critically, not just rationally. He has that same grasp of the essence of things that Capablanca had in chess. Here’s to you, Spiritus Mundi. […tink!..] ---
**Author:** ![Epimetheus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c4cdca/32.png) [@Epimetheus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Epimetheus)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2002, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-anyone-on-the-sdmb-who-will-go-down-in-history-as-a-great-mind/112950/25 "2002-06-11T12:46:40Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Epimetheus \* > \*\*What history are we talking about? Board history, or change the world greatest mind of the centry type? \*\* This statement makes it seem like I did not read the OP. What I _Meant_ was If the great mind will bring the SDMB into the annuls of history, or will they themselves be singled out for greatness? Example being CalMeacham by the end of his career has 17 scientific discoveries under his belt, and is hearaled the greatest mind in the 22nd century, or will his fame of a great scientist cause historians to dreg up the archives of this fine message board, thus bringing great thinkers who have not made a name outside the message board into light? ---
**Author:** ![Montezuma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3be4f8/32.png) [@Montezuma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Montezuma)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2002, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-anyone-on-the-sdmb-who-will-go-down-in-history-as-a-great-mind/112950/26 "2002-06-11T13:23:42Z")
This is all good guys, but who will go down as the worst people of the Straight Dope ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2002, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-anyone-on-the-sdmb-who-will-go-down-in-history-as-a-great-mind/112950/27 "2002-06-11T15:22:47Z")
Some hijacker? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2002, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-anyone-on-the-sdmb-who-will-go-down-in-history-as-a-great-mind/112950/28 "2002-06-11T15:31:05Z")
> [@](#): > > Example being CalMeacham by the end of his career has 17 scientific discoveries under his belt, and is hearaled the greatest mind in the 22nd century, or will his fame of a great scientist cause historians to dreg up the archives of this fine message board, thus bringing great thinkers who have not made a name outside the message board into light? Geez. My head is spinning. The most impressive thing I did this weekend was fix the washing machine. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2002, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-anyone-on-the-sdmb-who-will-go-down-in-history-as-a-great-mind/112950/29 "2002-06-11T15:37:43Z")
Hence the spinning? ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2002, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-anyone-on-the-sdmb-who-will-go-down-in-history-as-a-great-mind/112950/30 "2002-06-11T16:06:06Z")
I vote **Spiritus Mundi** too, on the strength of posting and evident towering intellect. Awesome. Don’t know what s/he is like/has achieved IRL though. ---
**Author:** ![Banger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8491ac/32.png) [@Banger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banger)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2002, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-anyone-on-the-sdmb-who-will-go-down-in-history-as-a-great-mind/112950/31 "2002-06-11T16:28:28Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Vinnie Virginslayer \* > \*\*Just curious . . are there any posters, besides the VinMan of course 😃 . . . .and more importantly Cecil . … . . .that you feel will in 25, 50, 100 , 200, 500, 1000 years from now, when mankind is looking at the Straight Dope archives, will go down as a great, influential thinker and great mind that will be read about in textbooks?😕 \*\* It’s possible, but unlikely, that there are future great minds here. I suppose that it depends upon what the criteria are to be considered a great, influential thinker and great mind. After all, some people are given entire chapters in textbooks, while others are mere footnotes… not to mention that with the ever increasing specialization of disciplines, someone virtually unknown among the general populace could be considered a divine genius among the peers of his or her profession. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2002, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-anyone-on-the-sdmb-who-will-go-down-in-history-as-a-great-mind/112950/32 "2002-06-11T19:27:40Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by SilkyThreat \* > \*\* > **biggirl** is another poster who is on top of the “brainiac” list. Plus, she’s witty and not afraid to say exactly what she thinks, two things I heartily admire. > > \*\* Somebody thinks I’m smart and not just a smartass? Cool Beans! ---
**Author:** ![Mythos45](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/848f3c/32.png) [@Mythos45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mythos45)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2002, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-anyone-on-the-sdmb-who-will-go-down-in-history-as-a-great-mind/112950/33 "2002-06-12T02:48:38Z")
The Bad Astronomer. No question. ---
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2002, 7:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-anyone-on-the-sdmb-who-will-go-down-in-history-as-a-great-mind/112950/34 "2002-06-12T07:26:44Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by SilkyThreat \* > \*\*Even though I rarely (in fact, have probably never) posted to one of her threads, I think **Stoid** is absolutely brilliant. \*\* :eek: 😃 (my strategic use of smilies offering further proof of my brilliance, obviously) (toe in dirt) golly. Thanks, \*\* Silkythreat, \*\* mighty kind of ya. Oh, and I can see \*\* Spiritus Mundi \*\* acheiving greatness. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Bad\_Astronomer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f05b48/32.png) [@The\_Bad\_Astronomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Bad_Astronomer)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2002, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-anyone-on-the-sdmb-who-will-go-down-in-history-as-a-great-mind/112950/35 "2002-06-12T21:06:27Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Mythos45 \* > \*\*The Bad Astronomer. No question. \*\* Now, I don’t mean to sound uncivil, or even ungracious, but these posts have left me scratching my head. I mean, really! All I do is read a lot. I am not a research scientist. I _used_ to be, but decided I didn’t like it. I have a few journal papers, but only, um, (counting on fingers) three as first author. I wrote a book, but none of it was what you would call original research; I explain things there, but I have to tip my hat towards folks like Newton, Kepler and Coriolis for having figured that stuff out first. Understanding stuff is important, and explaining it is important too (I don’t mean to un-toot my own horn _too_ much) but this is a far cry from having “a great mind”. Influential, of course, is another matter… ---
**Author:** ![Anubis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dfb087/32.png) [@Anubis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anubis)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2002, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-anyone-on-the-sdmb-who-will-go-down-in-history-as-a-great-mind/112950/36 "2002-06-13T01:01:15Z")
Anubis. Okay, okay, my real answer is **Esprix**. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Peyote\_Coyote](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/5f8ce5/32.png) [@The\_Peyote\_Coyote](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Peyote_Coyote)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2002, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-anyone-on-the-sdmb-who-will-go-down-in-history-as-a-great-mind/112950/37 "2002-06-13T01:21:33Z")
I will, but I am too modest to say so ---
**Author:** ![Ringo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/779978/32.png) [@Ringo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ringo)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2002, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-anyone-on-the-sdmb-who-will-go-down-in-history-as-a-great-mind/112950/38 "2002-06-13T02:07:33Z")
**Phaedy** , once he gets the CIA back under control? ---
**Author:** ![Esprix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/esprix/32/7899_2.png) [@Esprix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Esprix)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2002, 6:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-anyone-on-the-sdmb-who-will-go-down-in-history-as-a-great-mind/112950/39 "2002-06-13T06:51:02Z")
Why thank you, **Anubis**. **Polycarp** , **Fenris** and **matt\_mcl** , IMHO. Esprix [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-anyone-on-the-sdmb-who-will-go-down-in-history-as-a-great-mind/112950.md?page=1)