Design Quote by Richard Saul Wurman
““I believe I’m very normal. I’m hyper-normal. I’m more normal than anyone else I know. I think my thoughts, my indulgences, my desires, my pleasures may at first appear different, but that is only because they are more normal, not because they are more esoteric. I believe I am bored when other people are bored, only faster. I am interested when others are interested, only more interested. But I also think I’m less, rather than more, intelligent than other people. By indulging my interests through my life, and perhaps because of rather than despite many failures, I have been able to design my life.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Information Anxiety by Richard Saul Wurman, 1989
The speaker claims his heightened sensitivity and intense engagement make him seem “hyper‑normal,” yet he feels less intelligent, using his passions to shape his life despite failures.
In simple terms: He feels unusually intense but still ordinary, using his interests to design his life.
Key Takeaway
Embrace intense curiosity, design life around passions.
Themes
self‑awareness
intensity
design
failure
intelligence
Mood
reflective
introspective
Type
personal
philosophical
When to use this quote
- career planning
- creative projects
- personal growth
- overcoming boredom
Key Concepts
hyper‑normality
self‑design
resilience
Questions to Reflect On
- How does intense curiosity affect your daily decisions?
- Can feeling “less intelligent” be a motivator?
A Different Perspective
His self‑assessment may overstate uniqueness, ignoring common human variance.
