The Hypomanic Edge: The Link Between (A Little) Craziness and (A Lot of) Success in America

Categories: History, Politics & Social Sciences

Psychologist John D. Gartner argues that hypomania, a mild, genetically based form of mania marked by energy, creativity and risk-taking, helps explain America's entrepreneurial success. Because the country was built largely by immigrants who took a bold leap into the unknown, he contends, it has an unusually high share of hypomanic temperaments. He illustrates the idea with portraits of figures including Christopher Columbus, John Winthrop, Alexander Hamilton, Andrew Carnegie, the Mayer and Se…