Genius, pt. XX
It has been a long time since my last post for “The Geography of Genius” series, but I was actually already at the end and I’m going to end it with this post because I don’t leaving things unfinished.
After Eric Weiner’s trips to various places of genius, he concluded that “we can’t invent a place of genius.” It cannot be made or created. It simple happens when the right things come together at the right time, but he believes that “genius, like charity, begins at home,” which means that we can mold guide children to the path of genius.
The author for example, has started to mold his nine-year-old daughter. These are the things he does in order to make her more creative so that she can at least have a chance at becoming a creative genius:
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“I provide a mix of intrinsic and extrinsic motivations.”
“I try to set an example by not only preaching creativity but practicing it as well.”
“I assign tasks that seem like a ‘bad fit’.”
“I try to teach her the importance of remaining open to experience.”
“Our house is tolerant, but only up to a point.”
“I often encourage her to fail often and foolishly.”
“I provide her with a (mostly) attentive audience.”
“I warn her of the dangers of complacency.”
“I regularly demonstrate the importance of ignorance.”
“We walk.”
“We argue.”
“We laugh.”
As you can see from the list, the things the author does are things that anyone can do. As he said, “creativity doesn’t happen “in here” or “out there” but in the spaces in between. Creativity is a relationship, one that unfolds at the intersection of person and place.”
End of Genius Series