Einstein

We look at some of the great masters of the past and hail them as geniuses, but many lived unnoticed and unrecognized in their time. Often, even paupers. Rarely did they call themselves a genius, and instead shrugged off their brilliant works as coming from a genie, a spirit. Was it humility, or did their pursuit of excellence prevent them from seeing themselves as being great?

To be validated for your achievements, you must be part of the society that gives you these awards. Your work would have to be of some value to them. Creatives live on the edge of society, and some may only gain recognition in a future society. Sometimes never. But we still got to create. Right?