On Intelligent/Genius Characters

[CharlesEBrown]

Geniuses have their obsessions, and want to pursue them.

This is a point a lot of authors overlook. Actually one good example of using this is the character "Logan" in "My Vampire System" - he has an obsession with machines in general and those made by a specific inventor, Richard Eno, in particular.

I can't talk to either of these, as I haven't seen them. I think a very good example of what pattern recognition genius looks like in a vacuum are "A Beautiful Mind", and to a lesser extent "The Imitation Game". Geniuses get themselves into trouble, and don't necessarily behave predictably. I haven't seen "Oppenheimer", but I'd imagine it does a good job of pointing out how geniuses often neglect consequences of their own actions when making choices.

Have not seen any of those (well, did see about half an hour of A Beautiful Mind but this was back when video rental was a thing, and it got taken back before I could see more), but from what I've heard from those who did, you are spot on.

Sometimes it might be beneficial to think of geniuses not as flawless players, but players who always make very strong moves. The moves might be wrong, but damned if they don't have impact in some way or another.

Ah, true - actually the rivalry at the end of "DeathNote" kind of shows this in both L and M, with both making strong moves.