Genius

[thepaulo]

Do we all have it?
Is every one of us a little bit?

[Penelope]

Hmmm. I guess it depends on a person's definition of genius. I've been reading the bhagavad gita lately, and that says that in a sense we are all one. Don't know how I feel about that we are all one part though . . . the question is thought provoking, but I have no answers for you at this time.

[Willmore]

Do we all have it?
Is every one of us a little bit?


We can't all have it. For one, you're not one, and that logically dismisses your theory of everyone being one. Alternatively, none of us are, which is still possible.

[Penelope]

He he! I think there is some genius in Paulo. He's definitely unique. My definition of genius is originality and creativity. He thinks differently. Yes, he's insane, but that is one of down sides of being original.

[realmenhatelife]

I dont think it really exists. So much more goes into success than an innate human condition. And innovation is completely subjective, because so much parallel thinking goes on, and then some people are denied the resources that others have. Not to mention timing. If I invent a drug that noone needs, but in 100 years it cures the plague of that generation, am I a genius?


If genius does exist and we all have it, is it still genius? Isn't the superlative aspect essential, and wouldnt those two things contradict eachother?

[instrument]

Gap would be evidence for the contrary.

[Sofa_King]

If genius does exist and we all have it, is it still genius? Isn't the superlative aspect essential, and wouldnt those two things contradict eachother?

This. Genius is essentially an exceptional or comparative concept. It's possible that we all have the potential to become a "genius". It's not really possible that we are all genius because if we were all equally intelligent/skilled, there wouldn't be any proper geniuses. Also, can you really be "a little bit" genius? I wouldn't use the word that way. "He's slightly genius, but not that much." Perhaps you're thinking of creativity/ingenuity which, I think, everyone has to some degree.

[thepaulo]

I dont think it really exists. So much more goes into success than an innate human condition. And innovation is completely subjective, because so much parallel thinking goes on, and then some people are denied the resources that others have. Not to mention timing. If I invent a drug that noone needs, but in 100 years it cures the plague of that generation, am I a genius?


If genius does exist and we all have it, is it still genius? Isn't the superlative aspect essential, and wouldnt those two things contradict eachother?

all good points and there is also this. If you have genius but don't do anything with it, does it really exist?

[Contra]

An English teacher I had in 7th grade once said "Everyone knows everything, if you ask the right questions".

[furie]

Do we all have it?
Is every one of us a little bit?

no

[Crossweird]

I dont think it really exists. So much more goes into success than an innate human condition. And innovation is completely subjective, because so much parallel thinking goes on, and then some people are denied the resources that others have. Not to mention timing. If I invent a drug that noone needs, but in 100 years it cures the plague of that generation, am I a genius?


If genius does exist and we all have it, is it still genius? Isn't the superlative aspect essential, and wouldnt those two things contradict eachother?


Cliff's Notes to Outliers.

[Willmore]

An English teacher I had in 7th grade once said "Everyone knows everything, if you ask the right questions".

http://polonafonda.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/volkswagen-vw-hippie-flower-van-art-print-poster.jpg

This doesn't count as a schoolhouse.