> Newton was ridiculed by his peers (or at least his contemporaries). Part of the reason why people tell the story of Halley convincing Newton to publish the Pr

> Newton was ridiculed by his peers (or at least his contemporaries). Part of the reason why people tell the story of Halley convincing Newton to publish the Principia is that Newton hadn't published anything after the reception of some of his early work on optics. It doesn't look like had it rough though. From his early years he was kinda distinguished[1] at age 27. But thanks for the heads-up and your Newton story. These stories are the ones I enjoy the most :-) ps. You certainly don't look like an idiot to me. But I see what you mean, as Shakespeare often hinted, the wise men allows doubt into any conversation while the fool men never does. :-) [1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_Newton#Early_life http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_Newton#Early_life