The geeky stuff

Da Vinci has been described as the archetype of the "Renaissance man" and as a universal genius, with an IQ estimated to have been around 205. Leonardo is famous for his masterly paintings, such as The Last Supper and Mona Lisa. He is also known for designing many inventions that anticipated modern technology, although few of these designs were constructed in his lifetime. In addition, he helped advance the study of anatomy, astronomy, and civil engineering. Renaissance humanism saw no mutually exclusive polarities between sciences and arts.  

Sigmund Freud (1856-1939), Austrian psychiatrist

Freud was founder of the psychoanalytical school of psychology, based on his discovery that unconscious motives control much behavior, that particular kinds of unconscious thoughts and memories, especially sexual and aggressive ones, are the source of neurosis, and that neurosis could be treated through bringing these unconscious thoughts and memories to consciousness in psychoanalytic treatment. After initially studying hypnotism, he later studied the free association and dream analysis in developing what is now known as "the talking cure." These became the core elements of psychoanalysis. He was initially especially interested in what was then called hysteria, now called conversion syndrome, but expanded his work to other forms of neurosis, especially obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Freud is considered to be not only one of the major innovators in psychology but also one of the major figures in Western thought. His ideas have impacted not only psychology but also philosophy, sociology, anthropology, political science, history, literary criticism, art history, music history, and cultural studies.

Particularly aggressive, he was a severe critic of morality, Utilitarianism, contemporary philosophy, materialism, German idealism, German romanticism, and of modernity in general. He is among the most readable philosophers and penned a large number of aphorisms and varied experimental forms of composition. Although his work was distorted and thus identified with philosophical Romanticism, Anti-semitism, Nihilism, and even Nazism, he himself vociferously denied such tendencies in his work, so much to point of directly opposing them. In philosophy and literature, he is often identified as an inspiration for existentialism and postmodernism. His thought is, on many accounts, most difficult to comprehend in any systemized form and remains a vivacious topic for debate.

Woflgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791), Music composer

Mozart is among the most popular, significant and influential composers of European classical music. His music includes some of the acknowledged pinnacles of piano, chamber, symphonic, religious and operatic music. Although his music's character was unappreciated by some during his lifetime, he has been admired by later composers and many of his works have become part of the standard concert repertoire.

10 of the most popular concerts of Mozart include:

1) Flute Concerto No.2 In D Major: K.314

2) Piano Concerto No.24 in c minor: K.491

3) Piano Concerto No.9 in E flat Major: K.271

4) Piano Concerto No.17 in G Major: K.453

5) Horn Concerto No.3 In E-Flat Major: K.447

6) Piano Concerto No.20 in d minor: K.466

7) Concerto for Flute and Harp in C Major: K.299

8) Clarinet Concerto in A Major:  K.622

9) Violin Concerto No.4 in D Major: K.218

10) Piano Concerto No.27 in B flat Major: K.595

One of Bradley's notable characteristics, in his writing, is his technique of arguing from the meaning of a word. In his concern with word meanings, he might be seen as anticipating the more language-oriented philosophy of the 20th century.

Kasparov announced his retirement from professional chess on March 10, 2005, instead devoting time to politics and to do "everything in my power to resist Vladimir Putin's dictatorship." He is a leading member of the Committee 2008: Free Choice, a group of liberal opposition leaders.