Do you have some bizzare habit? They say that the line between genius and insanity is very thin. Furthermore, as you read about the eccentric habits of some of the most successful members of the human race, you will realize that this statement is absolutely true. While we cannot say with certainty that weirdness is what makes us successful, it might not be such a bad idea to let it happen.
1. Quentin Tarantino
The famous director writes his scripts by hand and then types them in a text editor. Since he has never learned to type quickly (in fact, as many other celebrities), he uses only one finger, and the lengthy process allows him to think it over again.
2. John Whiteside “Jack” Parsons
The founder of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory was deeply into the occult, and believed in sex magic. Before each rocket launch test, the American rocket engineer, chemist, and Thelemite occultist used to sing hymns to the Greek god Pan.
3. Salvador Dali
The famous Spanish surrealist artist carried everywhere an inlaid snuff-box filled with … a mustache. Thus, being with his friends he had the habit of politely offering: “Maybe a mustache?”
4. John Quincy Adams
The sixth president of the United States loved to swim naked in the Potomac River even on frosty days at dawn. One day, a journalist hid his clothes, and thus forced him to give an interview.
5. Friedrich Schiller
The leading German dramatist, poet, literary theorist, author of the poem “Wilhelm Tell” claimed that he was inspired by the smell of rotten apples that he kept in his desk. Visitors could only stay in his room next to an open window.
6. Anthony Nelson
A Scottish theater director once shared an inspirational tip: “Stay focused, listen to the music, ignore the noise, and masturbate more often!”
7. Nassim Taleb
The American essayist eats only antique products, and will not take anything in his mouth that does not have an ancient Hebrew or ancient Greek roots. The Lebanese-American drinks only wine and coffee.
8. Lyoto Machida
The Brazilian Light Heavyweight Ultimate Fighter drinks his own urine every morning. Once this remedy helped the professional mixed martial artist and karateka get rid of a chronic cough, and has since become his habit.
9. Thomas Jonathan Jackson
The Confederate general, nicknamed “The StoneWall” for his military services, had a habit of riding a horse with a raised hand. He believed that one half of his body weighed more than the other, and thus he restored the balance. Finally, the Confederate general was wounded in the lowered arm and died a few days later.
10. Richard Feynman
One of the greatest theoretical physicists received the Nobel Prize for his work in the field of quantum electrodynamics, the foundations of which he understood in a strip club.
11. Buckminster Fuller
The famous American architect created a decorative photo album about his own life, which he had prepared for 63 years. When fully unfolded, the album is 425 meters (almost 1,400 feet) long.
12. Benjamin Franklin
The British American polymath and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States loved to take air baths, sitting naked by an open window. He believed that fresh air warded off disease- such a strange habit.
13. Francis Bacon
The 20th century artist, namesake and direct descendant of the famous English philosopher, preferred to work with a hangover. The lord chancellor of England believed that only this state could make his spirit free.
14. Yoshiro Nakamatsu
The 92-year-old Japanese inventor has more than three thousand patents on his account. He assures that the brain needs a lack of oxygen for active work. To “turn on” his brain, an elderly Japanese man submerges under water for a long time.
15. Steve Jobs
The Apple founder followed a frutarian diet, and could eat only one kind of vegetable or fruit for weeks. He mistakenly believed that eating separately would help him get rid of unpleasant body odor. Chances are that the unusual diet contributed to his health problems.
