I strongly disagree with this. I got a 102 on the Putnam and am proud member of Mensa International, yet I never studied for exams or really tried very hard in school. While it makes me uncomfortable, people often call me a “genius,” and they are always even more surprised when they notice I never really have to put in any effort to do anything. I also strongly disagree with the “relearn your field” argument. I have a photographic memory, and never forget anything. The idea that I’d have to relearn something is absurd.
This doesn't really refute anything in the article, he says that at post-graduate level this quickly stops being enough. Have you managed to make a serious contribution to mathematics without trying very hard? I don't dispute what you are saying, but this article is about making real contributions to a field which is way beyond exams or joining Mensa.
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