Ask HN: Can you be a naive scientist AND a ruthless businessman?

History is full of examples of quiet, brilliant people who contribute amazing works to society, but never see any money and ultimately fail to influence decisions when they are important.

For example Alexander Grothendieck, Einstien, Van Gogh, to some extent Tesla.

Norbert Wiener suggests that from a game theoretic standpoint - uncovering the secrets of the universe is a long game with an honorable opponent - the laws of physics don't actively try to deceive us. However the political games of business and policy are full of fast-thinking schemers that do.

Perhaps there is a cognitive limit to how well you can do either.