Greatness is a tricky subject: it is difficult to pin down yet we know it when we see it. In this week’s podcast, we mark the passing of technology pioneer and Aleph Insights hero Sir Clive Sinclair by discussing what makes greatness.

We discuss objectivity versus subjectivity: can we simply call someone great or is it a title for which unspoken, yet consistent criteria exist? We also look at whether greatness is historically contingent, reliant on being in the right place at the right time, but also whether greatness can be revoked because of changing social mores and revisionary analysis. We address the inherent problem of trying to measure greatness through counterfactuals and examine formal systems that seek to institutionalise the conferment of greatness. Finally, Nick shares his brush with the late Sir Clive and we debate our personal heroes and why we regard them as great figures.

- Sir Clive Sinclair https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clive_Sinclair
- Nietzsche on Human Greatness https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10790-016-9570-9
- The 'lone genius' myth: Why even great minds collaborate https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20210308-the-lone-genius-myth-why-even-great-minds-collaborate

Image: Charis Tsevis via Flickr

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