How to be a genius

[karkaremtg]

Damn Cool!! Gives us hope
How to be a genius

[Michelle]

I think genius is a verb. One can create conditions, external and internal, where genius can take place, like becoming competent in a specific subject area, feeling calm and focused, ability to enjoy working alone without distraction, and complete acceptance of one's self and imagination.

[jkmuller]

That was a really interesting article. For me, its so much more satisfying to think that great accomplishments are a result of great amounts of work, rather than "talent." It really does give me hope that I can do something worthwhile or difficult if I work at it.

[songwriter]

There's a thread here about talent where we said something similar to the article.

[justin2377356]

Genius is a relative term. Maybe it is not that some people are smart, but that most people do not accept the responsibility of being smart.

Essentially genius is inducing a state of wonder in one person or more, to the point where it falls just beyond their comprehension - no more and no less.

I like to use the example of the band Coldplay. I am a musician, so I can say with confidence that they are technically not musical geniuses - or at least they have not released any music of this sort. The average person might call Coldplay musical geniuses because the music they produce is just beyond their own comprehension. If their music was any more complex, it would be too far beyond the comprehension of the public and they would no longer be considered geniuses. If their music was any less complex, the public would not think highly of them because they themselves can completely understand it.

[hawkal]

I don't think there really is such a thing as genius in the way society sees it like some amazingly brainy person.

If you consider the fact that all the significant "geniuses" all had something greater they wanted to contribute to their field genius is about finding something worth dedicating your life to and second is used by so called "non geniuses" as a cop out because they don't believe it is within their capacity.

how many "geniuses" would have really agreed with being considered a genius? not many in my opinion

[ucqwerty]

I like the 10 year rule. Very inspiring study.

Just wanted to point out that there is still such a thing as prodigy. Take John von Neumann as an example.

Not that this is contributing much to the discussion haha.

[esmas]

Originally Posted by hawkal

I don't think there really is such a thing as genius in the way society sees it like some amazingly brainy person.

how many "geniuses" would have really agreed with being considered a genius? not many in my opinion

Genii are renown for having huge egos. It's based on their infatuation with their own mind that they are able to discover anything by inquisition through themselves. Hence why they are often found isolated.

Whilst they're work may serve a greater purpose for the "common man" it was their ego pushing them into a pretty dismal situation whereby they literally work themselves stupid.

Although they wouldn't tell you that cause they know the importance of appearing ego-less