About this quote

Intellectually, we often get stuck in the boring middle ground of moderate knowledge. We try so hard to look smart and informed, but we end up sounding exactly like everyone else. True charisma belongs to the extremes: the rare genius who holds all the answers and the blissfully ignorant soul who has no filter. Have you ever noticed how exhausting it is to talk to someone who merely pretends to know? Step out of the safe, polite middle and either commit to learning deeply or admit your total ignorance with pride.

When to use it

• Everyone in this project meeting is trying so hard to sound mildly competent. I honestly wish we had either a world-class scientist or a complete toddler in here to make this discussion interesting.
• My date tonight spent two hours explaining basic politics as if it were rocket science. It made me realize how much more fun it is to talk to someone who is either a true genius or completely oblivious to the news.
• I love playing chess with grandmasters or absolute beginners. The intermediate players are too busy worrying about theory to ever play a creative move.