brilliance

I think it has to be conceded: Everyone is brilliant.

Literally, metaphorically, intellectually, emotionally ... any way you slice it -- brilliant.

Who else, after all, could be so perfectly an exemplar of your particular and singular life?

Brilliant!

AND

As a descriptor of that brilliance, I think it has to be conceded that everyone is a jackass and dumber than a box of rocks.

Literally, metaphorically, intellectually, emotionally... any way you slice it -- stooopid.

Who else, after all, could be so perfectly an exemplar of your particular and singular life?

Dumb and dumber!

And if all this is true, as I think it is, then the matters of brilliance and erring are nothing to write home about. To attain the one and elude the other is simply not possible, so praying piteously or hunkering down in some protective fetal position -- seeking supporters and fending off detractors -- doesn't make much sense.

There is no such thing as brilliant-ER.

There is just brilliance.