i'm not as dumb as some other people

Lots of people I like have quoted to me the thing that goes (paraphrased) Doing the same thing and expecting different results is a sign of insanity.

I will concede that some types of insanity involve psychosis or at least some level of misperception of the world.
And it's smart to change course when things aren't working and it seems appropriate to try something else.
But other than that, this is a really stupid quote.

Sometimes we try the same thing over and over again because it's the only thing we CAN do, and it's better do be doing than not doing.

Sometimes conditions change, and what didn't work yesterday works today. Sometimes other people change their minds, or other factors come into play.

I mean, if I call you and you don't answer, does that mean calling you again is a sign of insanity? How about teaching your dog to roll over, or telling your kid to empty the garbage, or asking your wife for sex? How about when you're learning to juggle, or play the guitar? Much of life involves perserverence, trying things until they work. Or they don't. But IMHO it doesn't have much to do with insanity...