<p>I'm posting this because it really annoys me how every other parent in the world today claims that their kid is a "genius." Get real. </p>
<p>For me, "genius" is the capacity to create (or think) something new. It need not be "new" for the Western world if the "genius" is from a primitive culture, and it certianly doesn't need to be of an intellectual nature, just as long as it's new and the individual hasn't stolen the work from someone else. </p>
<p>Honestly, some parents need to thinking about what they say. I have no problem admitting that I'm not a "genius," because "genius" only comes along once or twice in a generation to different groups around the world. </p>
<p>We're not all that special, learn to accept it...</p>
<p>There's the empirical genius that has an IQ of 140 or above but I agree more with your definition. The true "genius" is the creativity in thought. Look back on those people considered the smartest by history-- Newton, Aristotle, Einstein, etc.-- does anybody remember them getting a 4.0GPA and a 1600 on the SAT? Heck, if anything, people remember Einstein struggling with math at a young age. The point is, however, that these men, these great minds, are recognized for their creative thought and the brilliance of new territory that they opened up.</p>
<p>But with the sentiments expressed above, that "genius" is overused and should apply to people who are able to break the rules and write new ones.</p>
<p>Although, I disagree with "We're not all that special, learn to accept it..." because that's pretty cynical. We're not all geniuses, but that doesn't mean everyone doesn't possess their own unique talents...</p>
<p>Well, what kind of criteria are there for "geniushood"?
Lets see if we can establish some.</p>
<p>The candidate must:
1) Radically transform the world or our view of it (by invention, conceptual leaps, etc)
2) Do it on their own (gotta be legit, no plagiarism here)
3) Be very creative and "out of the box" (yes, this happens to influence #1, but I think it deserves stating explicitly)</p>
<p>When parents say, "My kid is a genius," they really mean "My kid is super smart, lookie mee lookie meeee! I have a smart kid! He didn't put the round block into the round hole, he OPENED UP THE CAN! OMG OMG OMG! Lookit me! I AM SPECIAL!"</p>
<p>Sidenote: "geniuses" don't necessarily have to develop early/fast... they usually blossom to full genius-ness in their 20s.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Although, I disagree with "We're not all that special, learn to accept it..." because that's pretty cynical. We're not all geniuses, but that doesn't mean everyone doesn't possess their own unique talents...
<p>I can't tell you what it is exactly. But I CAN tell you what it is NOT - any type of pro-sports coach. I can't stand it when people say that coach is a genius - umm, no...</p>
<p>As sarcastic as thomaschau's post might seem, there is some truth there. My previous post was in regards to play calling-- to see teams set up athletic, energetic, and creative plays that fool other teams, I'd be willing to say there is a level of genius there.</p>
<p>Genius is the ability to perceive something that makes others go, "Wow, I can't believe I didn't see that." It's perceiving the obvious beneath the clutter.</p>
<p>"As sarcastic as thomaschau's post might seem, there is some truth there. My previous post was in regards to play calling-- to see teams set up athletic, energetic, and creative plays that fool other teams, I'd be willing to say there is a level of genius there."</p>
<p>Actually I wasn't being sarcastic, I really think it's a brilliant idea</p>
<p>It's one of those things where you say "wow.. who woulda thought?" and gape in awe.</p>
<p>Genius is what you make of it. Anyone can take a test to determine their intelligence. That test does not indicate a person's true abilities. Genius is defined by a person's actions.</p>