The word “genius” gets used often these days. But what exactly is genius, and how can you tell it when you see it?
Either a person or an idea can be referred to as “genius”. Typically for a person, it might refer to someone with a particularly high IQ. This can be measured via an IQ test, and at least in theory, can be quantified.
However, it is also used in other contexts. For example, someone might be called a musical or artistic genius. Is there any possible way this can be measured? Is there some sort of threshold to be labeled as such in a creative field? Or is it entirely subjective?
Listen to a podcast where Michael and Lee discuss a related question: ‘What gives a person value?’ We also discuss a bonus question: ‘What makes you you?’
When the word is used to describe a creative person, is it used for someone with a high level of expertise in a very specific field, or to someone with a broad skill set? That is, which is more of a musical genius: a guitar virtuoso, or someone who can play a dozen different instruments with a relatively high level of skill? Or perhaps both are?
If both, are we in danger of making the definition of the word so broad that it loses meaning? If everyone can be called a genius (in their own way), does the word cease to mean anything?
How do you use the word? Do you use it frequently, or know people who do? Does it simply mean “I think this is really great” or is it more than that?
What is genius?
Related questions: How can we measure intelligence? What is intelligence? How important are important people? How important is the artist to art?
Geniuses possess an overall intellectual or creative power or, on a more defined scale, create or develop an exceptional technique or practice within a discipline. Isolated ideas make for strokes of genius.
Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about the power of music. And that has made me ponder a fair amount about musical genius and geniuses. I write this without musical skills and relatively little knowledge about the subject. I am simply in awe of the music’s ability to unite people as well as its ability to impact and change emotions. So, to write about this topic, I must rely on people practicing music or its respected critics.
To name two examples, practitioners and critics agree that Prince and Nina Simone were musical geniuses. Prince dominated as a singer, songwriter, producer, and (most notably as) a guitar player. He was, as they say, the real deal. Nina Simone’s excellence came in her ability to cross and blend genres of singing and piano playing. She excelled in classical, jazz, blues, gospel, and R&B. On top of that, as an activist, she used her music to advance the goals of the civil rights movement of the 1960s. She, to significant effect, defined, united, and activated her audiences.
As for creating an exceptional technique or practice within the discipline of music, specifically the art of guitar playing, I’ll use one of my favorite performers, the Edge of U2 fame. There’s considerable debate about if the Edge fits into the genius camp, some saying he is not a virtuoso of the instrument holistically. Again, I’m not an expert here. What I do know is that he created a style all his own. His Wikipedia entry notes his guitar playing “is distinguished by chiming timbres, use of rhythmic delay, drone notes, harmonics, and an extensive use of effects units.” I don’t know what this means. But I love whatever it is referring to, and it sounds like genius to me.
As for a stroke of genius, whoever developed the first stringed instrument thousands of years ago, I have to say, “Thank you!”