The old saying goes that great minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events and small minds discuss people.
I suppose one can use this saying in any way to substantiate an argument or just drive a point across. Some may use the saying to sanction skinderpraatjies, or to elevate the topic to the level of open mindedness and an opportunity to measure your thoughts up against that of others.
Whatever the reasons may be, it is always exciting to be part of a discussion or conversation where intricate subject matter is explored. Even if you are not contributing much personally, you definitely are learning from others.
So here we are. A group of esteemed intellectuals, or just a bunch of snooty know-it-alls, discussing Diep Dinge! Our opinions, based on solid verifiable research, a television programme or just a book we read, are all we need to be productive in this discussion. Anything goes – politics, economics, science and technology, education, and of course, like all beauty pageants, world peace. Then the braai ends and we all go home.
At least we didn’t discuss Pietie’s new car, or Angie’s sixth pregnancy, or the fact that Jabu down the street is extending his house. Again. No. We were civil. Intellectual. Great minds.
Sunday morning we get up, cut the grass, have an oversized lunch and stay in front of the TV until Carte Blanche marks the official end to the weekend. Monday it is back to work geduldig, gedienstig en gedwee. The cycle starts again.
What happened to the great minds, the great ideas, and world peace?
In most cases the discussion is just that. A discussion. It was fun while it lasted, but now it is all over. Finish en klaar.
On an odd occasion, though, it would spark an idea with someone who would do some further research which results in a life-changing event for them, as well as others. How often do we see new products on the market, a new kind of service offered or some revolutionary new trend? You can’t keep up with it.
I always am fascinated to discover where and when all these great ideas started. What were the people doing at that exact time when they had this stroke of genius? What were they thinking about and did they even plan for it to turn out to be so great?
There are many fascinating stories about people with their grand and elaborate achievements that have changed the world, and there will be many more in time to come. Nelson Mandela, Richard Branson and so many others may be hard acts to follow, but their lives always will serve as examples of what the human spirit can achieve.
History books are full of everything that those great minds discovered and invented. Little you and I may not be able to live up to them, but in essence we all are just inventing one thing: ourselves!
