"Now that I near 80, I realize with wistful pleasure that on many occasions I was 10, 20, 40, even 50 years ahead of my time"

This quote by Benoit Mandelbrot talks to the concept of being ahead of one's time. As he nears 80 years of age, he looks back on his life and understands that he was often ahead of the curve in regards to his ideas and thinking. He was 10, 20, 40, and even 50 years ahead of his time on numerous events. This speaks to his ability to think outside the box and create innovative ideas that were ahead of their time. It also speaks with the idea that sometimes it takes a while for individuals to reach the ideas of those who are ahead of their time. Mandelbrot's quote is a pointer that in some cases it is needed to think differently and want to take risks in order to come up with new and innovative ideas. It is also a reminder that in some cases it takes some time for people to reach the ideas of those who are ahead of their time.