Genius: A Relative Definition
Everyday, I am surrounded by possibly the most brilliant and intelligent group of kids in my age group from around the world. You can give them any problem of any subject at any time and they can not only solve it, they can conquer it.
I have finished midterms or finals thinking that there is no way the entire room was not just completely obliterated. Every midterm, every project, every final are mechanisms in which those who learned the material and those who have mastered it could be distinguished.
They serve not only as milestones of what you have learned but rather also as measurements in your ability to compete within a certain domain of “validated intelligence”.
However, the average always seems to prove otherwise and pull aside the curtain to expose that new territory of untouched and unseen brilliance. It serves as a reminder that your greatest knowledge and understanding has been surpassed. It is humbling and it is inspiring.
But if genius is deemed to be such a unique and exclusive concept that has been reserved for a select few, then that average student who can maintain pace with a challenging class amongst others should not be given the title of “genius”. If the majority of a class is genius, then “genius” has lost all ground in prestige and utmost honor.
Thus then what defines genius? What does it mean to be genius? Is there a certain criteria for it and if so can everyone be it? Is genius an attainable goal or a designated concept already inherent within an individual?
Genius is relative to the individual.
Genius is making something extraordinarily difficult seem effortless.
Genius isn’t a measure of talent or intellect. Genius is about maximizing the potential within each person. Genius is the person who has discovered that action or that idea that makes them feel invincible.
Geniuses don’t just have dreams. They have visualizations.
They preserve the vitality in creativity.
Geniuses are driven by the thrill to explore the zone of their greatest discomfort. They thrive in an ever changing system that they can maintain pace with through adaptation and innovation.
The relativity of this definition allows genius to be anyone, even outside the realm of school and textbooks.
Genius can be that singer with the guitar at the bottom of the train station who makes $50 in tips each day. Genius can be that soccer player who scores every goal or genius can be the kid benched every game but continues to practice everyday. Or genius can be the student who scores below average on every midterm but then releases youtube videos simplifying concepts they struggled with.
Genius is the writer who continues to write although their words will never be read or the speaker whose voice will never be heard. An audience is not a necessity for their creation, but rather their perseverance with the lack of one.
They are entrepreneurs. They are musicians. They are taxi drivers.
Thus, genius is not a label. It is rather a state of being. It is the most motivated and driven version of what we can become. It is the most extraordinary rendition of a person.
This state is empowered by the desire to never settle for anything less than the best.
Genius is the identification of an idea, concept, or action that allows them to enter a zone of untouchability. The action of a genius is then the pursuit to take that idea and understand it better than anyone else.
It is a human construct of complete and total self-expression.
