Well, 7heSleeplessDreamer, the consumption of larger than normal amounts of alcohol does not immediately make one insane. However, the imbibing of liquids and substances that drastically alter the normal functions of the brain, is by action, somewhat of an act of insanity, is it not?
Poe, it is said, suffered from Melancholy [Depression we call it now], and in his days, Men particularly, Brandied, Ported and Aled a lot anyway. Picasso was diagnosed Manic Depressant or Bi-Polar. And Hitler, well, though I'm extremely far from a distant admirer, mentally was brilliant, while it seems his biological father's escalated affair with a Jewish woman, to the point of leaving him and his mother for her, ultimately planted and fertilized the seeds of 'Hate' inside of him.
I can't say what genius is, however, I've been fortunate to be born with a deep desire toward creativity, fast and open-minded thinking. Like the fictional character, Spider Man; it is my gift, and my curse.
The combination of the three creates a paradox. A conundrum that motivates a maelstrom of thought provoking mental actions that never seem to cease. Having to dummy down during a conversation, so that people don't feel intimidated, or become annoyed is a constant that has to be monitored often. Throwing around ideas like splashing a seemingly unending assortment of paint colors on a canvas somehow is a difficult thing for people to accept.
Perhaps the average person does not consciously care to multitask with their minds, although subconsciously they do all of the time. I mean, we walk, talk, chew bubble-gum, and/or trim fingernails, drink coffee, tea or whatever, while listening to music, or texting, or talking on a phone and cooking--all at once--not to forget to breath, and or swallow and occasionally blink. However, once you point out to them that they're doing all of that at the same time, they become annoyed at the realization.
I for one, like to sit and write, read, listen to music, watch TV on, or away from the PC, and hold conversations all at once. To me, it is refreshing, exhilarating, entertaining and time devouring.
If I'm encumbered from this stimuli for too long, I become extremely rattled and annoyed. I detest boredom. In the same vane, I find highly creative people--ala the ilk you mentioned--to be extremely fascinating. The ability to pull something beautiful from the air is as magical as air itself... Of course, I don't really think I'm bordering on insanity, particularly because by definition, I really don't do the same thing, the same way, and expect to get different results. What say you? GBJ