5 most common myths about geniuses and genius
A Life / / December 19, 2019
Eric Weiner
Writer, journalist, philosopher and traveler.
Not so easy to understand that we are in the company of genius. Sometimes because we do not know what this word means.
For example, in ancient Rome was called a genius spirit patron person or locality. In the XVIII century a modern meaning of the word - a man with a special, almost divine powers.
Today we easily let's call someone a genius marketing or political genius, without hesitation, that this genius is not required such refinements. True genius is beyond one area. That's why we should not use that word so wasteful. Let us recall the basic misconceptions about the genius.
Myth №1. The genius is due to genetics
This idea came long ago. Back in 1869 the British scientist Francis Galton published a book "Hereditary talent", in which he argued that genius depends on our heredity. But the genius is not transmitted genetically as eye color. In brilliant parents are not born genius children. Heredity - just one of the factors.
Another factor - the hard work. In addition, influences and attitude to their work. This confirms the study conducted among children engaged in music
Identity and practice: The motivational benefits of a long-term musical identity.. It showed that the success of the student is determined not by the number of hours spent in rehearsal, and the attitude to music in the long run.In other words, to be a genius, you need a certain way of thinking and perseverance.
Myth №2. Geniuses are people smarter than others
This is refuted by examples from history. So, most prominent historical figures was a fairly modest level of intelligence. For example, the IQ of William Shockley, Nobel laureate in physics, in all 125. The same result and the famous physicist Richard Feynman.
Genius, especially creative, determined not so much mental capacity, as the breadth of vision. Genius - one who comes to new unexpected ideas.
Also, the genius does not necessarily require encyclopedic knowledge and a great education. Many geniuses of threw their studies or do not formally studied, such as the famous British scientist Michael Faraday.
In 1905, when Albert Einstein published four papers that changed the understanding of the physics of his own knowledge of this science gave way to knowledge of other researchers. His genius lay not in the fact that he knew more than others, and that he could draw conclusions that could do no other.
Myth №3. Geniuses can appear at any time, anywhere
Usually we consider geniuses something like shooting stars - a surprising phenomenon and is extremely rare.
But if you map the emergence of geniuses in the world in the history of mankind, you'll notice an interesting pattern. Geniuses do not appear haphazardly, but in groups. In certain places at certain times give rise to outstanding minds and new ideas. Think of ancient Athens, the Florentine Renaissance, Paris 1920, and even today's Silicon Valley.
Places where there are geniuses, though different from each other, have common characteristics. For example, almost all the cities.
High population density and a sense of intimacy, resulting in an urban environment, contribute to the development of creativity.
For all of these places are characterized by an atmosphere of tolerance and openness, and this, according to psychologists, is especially important for creativityThe relationship between intelligence and creativity: New support for the threshold hypothesis by means of empirical breakpoint detection.. So geniuses are more similar than shooting stars and flowers, which occur naturally in a suitable environment.
Myth №4. Genius - a sullen loner
In popular culture, many such characters. And although geniuses, especially writers and artists are more prone to mental disorders, particularly depression, they are rarely loners. They want to be like-minded people in the community who can reassure them and make sure that they are not crazy. Therefore, there is always the geniuses "support group."
Freud was Viennese Psychoanalytic Society, going at it on Wednesday, Einstein - "Olympic Academy". Impressionist painter every week gathered together and written in nature, in order to maintain good spirits in response to the rejection of the critics and the public.
Of course, the geniuses you must sometimes be in lonelinessBut often they are switched to a solitary work to communicate with others. For example, the Scottish philosopher David Hume weeks sitting in the office and working, but then always came out and went to the local pub to live and socialize, like all other people.
Myth №5. Now we are more intelligent than ever before
The number of university graduates and IQ level is now higher than ever, so many people think that we live in an age of genius. This misconception is so popular that it even appeared name - Flynn effect.
But the people at all times believed that their era - is the peak of development. And we are no exception. Of course, we have witnessed a huge breakthrough in the field of digital technology, but the question of our genius still remains open.
The science is now made a lot of monumental discoveries. Although they are impressive, but not as important to change our view of the world. Discoveries such as Darwin's theory of evolution and Einstein's relativity theory, there is now.
Over the last 70 years it was published much more research than ever before, but the percentage of truly pioneering work remained unchanged.
Yes, now we are producing record amounts of data, but do not confuse this with a creative genius. Otherwise, every owner of a smartphone would be the new Einstein.
It is proved that the flow of information around us is only prevents major discoveries. And it's really disturbing. After all, if geniuses and have one thing in common is the ability to see the extraordinary in the ordinary.