Who knew that Ludwig Wittgenstein was a composer? I’d love to hear this piece, even though it’s only 30 seconds long. I’d venture to say that Wittgenstein was one of the brightest people of the 20th century. Certainly there were specialists who achieved greatness in their fields, but examine the variety of things that he achieved during his life:

* As an engineer, he worked on an early iteration of the jet engine, as well as developing a patented propeller system.
* He was granted his PhD from Cambridge based upon his journal kept during his time as soldier during World War I.
* Taught primary school in Norway.
* Designed a built a house in Vienna, Austria for his sister.
* Taught philosophy at Trinity College.

Most of us would be ecstatic to achieve one of those things.

Posted on 20 November 2003