I think that's likely part of it, but I think it's also the case of "genius and insanity are 2 sides of the same coin." Nobel prizes aren't given for being the

I think that's likely part of it, but I think it's also the case of "genius and insanity are 2 sides of the same coin." Nobel prizes aren't given for being the best scientist, they're given for novel discoveries. And to make a novel discovery often means you're putting forth a theory that's probably a bit "out there" to begin with. Couple that with the fact that once you've won the Nobel prize you can convince yourself that your shit don't stink, so that when you make further wildly outlandish claims you can just convince yourself the masses just don't "get it" like how they didn't necessarily get it before you won your Nobel. Musk is my current favorite example of this. I think he was undeniably a visionary when it came to electric cars and private space travel, but his success in those areas (in which he was heavily guided by his underlings, similar to what you point out) convinced him he can be an "unrestrained genius" in other areas, when in reality he's just a douche bag.