The Hidden Qualities of Genius

Today's blog post is based on a podcast from The Art of Manliness:

We tend to throw the word “genius” around pretty casually, saying so-and-so has a genius for a particular skill, or sarcastically pointing out someone’s failure by saying, “Nice work, genius!”

But what makes an actual genius, a genius?

My guest today has spent over two decades exploring that question by studying the world’s most iconic and original thinkers and creators, both past and present. His name is Craig Wright, he’s a professor emeritus of music at Yale who continues to teach a course there called “Exploring the Nature of Genius,” and he’s the author of The Hidden Habits of Genius: Beyond Talent, IQ, and Grit—Unlocking the Secrets of Greatness. Today on the show Craig reveals the characteristics and patterns of behavior of true geniuses, and begins by answering the questions of whether there’s a connection between genius and intelligence, and whether genius is hereditary. We talk about several drivers of genius, including situational advantages, a childlike ability to play with possibilities, a keen curiosity, a strong memory, broad interests and vision, the ability to toggle between intense concentration and loose relaxation, and keeping a daily routine. We then discuss whether there’s a connection between genius and mental health issues, and what effect being a genius tends to have on someone’s personal life. Along the way, Craig illustrates his points with examples from the lives of Mozart, da Vinci, Steve Jobs, and more.

Here are the highlights from the program:

• What makes a person or idea “genius”?
• Is there a connection between intelligence and genius?
• The inheritability of genius 
• How situational advantage elevates some over others 
• The benefits of a lifelong child-like worldview 
• The value of curiosity 
• Going broad vs. going deep 
• Is there any connection between mental illness and genius?
• The tattered personal lives of most geniuses

Interesting days

Today - Social Media Day and Meteor Watch Day

July is Plastic Free July, Bank Account Bonus Month, World Watercolor Month, Sarcoma Awareness Month, Picnic Month, Cell Phone Courtesy Month, Independent Retailer Month, Horseradish Month and Ice Cream Month

Tomorrow - Joke Day, Gingersnap Day, Creative Ice Cream Flavor Day, International Reggae Day, Postal Worker Day, Zip Code Day, Second Half of the Year Day and Canada Day

Next Wednesday - Chocolate Day, Macaroni Day, Strawberry Sundae Day, Global Forgiveness Day and Tell The Truth Day

Week long celebrations:

Jul 5- Jul 11: Great British Pea Week

July 30 - Cheesecake Day, Friendship Day, Talk In An Elevator Day, Paperback Book Day, International Day of Friendship, Share a Hug Day, Father-in-Law Day and System Administrator Appreciation Day

July 31 - Raspberry Cake Day, Uncommon Instrument Awareness Day and World Ranger Day