We are living in a time when the number of people extraordinarily devoted to their talent is decreasing, and I see everywhere that there is less place in present-day society for people of extraordinary talent, because of the general tendency to level off the peaks, and make everyone equal, and not accept that there are natural differences among people. It’s completely absurd to be in a social situation where you feel obliged to defend yourself for what you are.
— Karlheinz Stockhausen
