Yes I’m stretching this a bit, and certainly don’t mean this as a slight on Tao’s peers. That said I’m sure there’s someone out there who fits this description better. I was picturing a modern-day Ramanujan in my mind.
I certainly didn't take it as a slight against myself. Rather, I've met Tao and several other top mathematicians, and I don't imagine any of them would say they fit that description.
Indeed, Tao himself has written criticism of the "cult of genius":
impendia|5 days ago
Indeed, Tao himself has written criticism of the "cult of genius":
https://terrytao.wordpress.com/career-advice/does-one-have-t...