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Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/post/geniuses-born-or-made/2012/05/28/gJQAkvRhxU_blog.html?utm_term=.91f0207e145b
Author: Valerie Strauss
Jack Andraka is a 15-year-old kid from Maryland who just won the world’s largest and most important high school science fair by devising a new way to detect pancreatic cancer in its early stages. Andraka, from Anne Arundel County, nabbed the first-place $75,000 scholarship award at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair in Pittsburgh and will also receive $12,000 in cash for his discovery.
His detection method is elegant in its simplicity: He created a dip-stick sensor that can test blood or urine for pancreatic cancer, the work he undertook after the disease killed his uncle and a friend’s brother. Let me repeat: He is 15 years old. It all makes you wonder about the nature of genius. A while back I did a Q & A about this subject with Dean Keith Simonton, a psychology professor at the University of California at Davis and an expert in genius, creativity, leadership and aesthetics. Here it is:
Q) What exactly is a genius? Do you have to be an Einstein to be a genius?
A) The IQ definition: According to the American Heritage Dictionary, a genius is someone with an IQ of 140 or higher. This definition is rather arbitrary. Not just number, but the idea that there exists a test that can provide a meaningful score for everybody – a one-size fits-all measure. But notice that by the IQ definition you don’t have to be an Einstein to be a genius. Marilyn Vos Savant is an IQ genius, but no Einstein.
The exceptional achievement definition: Someone who comes up with ideas or productions that are both original and exemplary – models of achievement that others admire and even imitate. This is a definition that fits Einstein, albeit you don’t have to have a genius that supreme to be considered a genius.
Q) Isn’t the word ‘genius’ overused?
A) Yes, I think it’s overused. It’s sometimes applied to domains that don’t really demand originality. For example, it’s stretching the term to call Tiger Woods a golf genius. Tiger has tremendous skill and talent, but you do not need to be original to win the Masters. You just have to be very, very good at driving and putting.
Q) What’s the difference between being brilliant and being a genius?
A) I don’t know what you mean by “brilliant.” If you mean a high IQ, then it depends on the definition, no? If you mean that a genius has to be someone who is extremely witty in conversation and able to converse on an impressive range of subjects, then the answer is no. A lot of geniuses can be absolute bores outside a very narrow area of expertise. Like many mathematical geniuses.
Q) Are geniuses born or can they be made? In other words, can I do anything to make myself a genius?
A) Both born and made. You can’t become a genius without a tremendous amount of work. You have to acquire sufficient expertise in an achievement domain to know what you’re talking about or what you’re doing. You cannot acquire such expertise in most domains without have a certain level of intelligence and considerable drive and persistence. And these traits are to a certain degree genetic. If you’re born “stupid and lazy” forget about earning a Nobel Prize in Physics!
Q) Name a few geniuses that we all would know and explain what makes them geniuses. Is Bill Gates a genius or just someone very smart and lucky?
A) Bill Gates probably satisfies both definitions, so he’s an easy case. There’s no doubt that he was very smart and that he produced work that was original and exemplary. Stephen Hawking would be another example. However, not all geniuses would necessarily score 140 or higher on an IQ test. This is especially true in the arts. Frank Gehry is an unquestioned architectural genius, but he may or may not meet that dictionary definition. The same holds for a great filmmaker like Steven Spielberg.
13. What is the role of gyne in a genius?
Corrections:
Gene
12. We have some connections in our brain, How does this connection impact on individual differences? (5:30)
The connections in our brain, often referred to as brain connectivity, play a significant role in shaping individual differences. These connections influence how we think, feel, and behave, contributing to variations in cognitive abilities, personality traits, and social behaviors. For example, stronger connections in certain brain regions can enhance executive functions like decision-making and problem-solving, while differences in connectivity can explain why some people are more empathetic or better at multitasking than others.
11. What can neuroscientists do for understanding a genius more and more?
What kind of study neuroscientists should do for understanding a genius?
Neuroscientists can better understand geniuses by using brain imaging techniques to study structural and functional differences, conducting cognitive tests to assess abilities, exploring genetic factors, performing longitudinal studies to track development over time, and analyzing detailed case studies of known geniuses. These approaches provide insights into the unique patterns, experiences, and factors that contribute to exceptional abilities.
11. What is the idea that Dr. Joy Hirsch has learned from neuroscientist recently?
*neuroscientists
Great! You’ve corrected yourself.
Dr. Joy Hirsch, a neuroscientist at Yale, recently discovered that real-time, face-to-face conversations create a unique pattern of neural activity in the brain, which is different from virtual interactions like Zoom. Her research highlights the importance of in-person social interactions for engaging brain areas responsible for social processing and emotional connection.
10. What does a genius term mean? (3:00)
The term “genius” refers to an individual who possesses exceptional intellectual or creative abilities, often significantly surpassing that of the average person. Geniuses are recognized for their extraordinary achievements in various fields, such as science, art, music, or literature. Their innovative thinking, problem-solving skills, and unique insights often lead to groundbreaking discoveries or creations that can influence and shape the world.
9. What does she mean by saying “a double-edged sword”?
A “double-edged sword” is an idiom that describes a situation or object that has both positive and negative consequences. Like a sword with two sharp edges, which can cut both ways, something referred to as a double-edged sword can bring both benefits and drawbacks. For example, technology can be considered a double-edged sword because it offers incredible convenience and advancements, but it can also lead to issues like privacy concerns and social disconnection. Essentially, it highlights the idea that every advantage often comes with a potential downside.
8. What does desist people from taking a risk? (2:50)
Desist means to stop, prevent, cease or abstain someone from doing something.
7. Is it correct to consider geniuses as individual persons? Why?
Corrections:
Unlike the use of “regard”, after “consider” you should not use “as”.
6. What is the role of chance and society to allow people to be creative? (1:50)
Chance and society play significant roles in fostering creativity. Chance can lead to unexpected encounters, opportunities, and experiences that spark new ideas and perspectives. Serendipity often leads to creative breakthroughs when people are exposed to different environments, cultures, and challenges.
Society contributes by creating environments that either encourage or stifle creativity. Supportive societies provide resources, education, and platforms for expression, enabling individuals to explore and develop their creative potential.
5. What does she mean by saying “We could value more the person that takes the path that is not the common path”?
I have no idea. The quote is rather ambiguous and unclear.
4. What is the rule of taking a risk to become a genius?
role
Great! You’ve corrected yourself.
Taking risks plays a crucial role in the journey of becoming a genius. It involves stepping out of comfort zones, embracing uncertainty, and being open to failure. By taking risks, individuals can explore uncharted territories, challenge conventional thinking, and make innovative discoveries.
3. Is it possible to enhance natural creativity?
Enhancing natural creativity is possible through various strategies such as engaging in diverse activities, embracing curiosity, practicing mindfulness and reflection, collaborating with others, creating a stimulating environment, and allowing time for downtime. These practices broaden perspectives, inspire innovative thinking, and help creativity flourish.
What does writer mean by that IQ definition by IQ more than 140 is arbitrary?
Corrections:
What does “the” writer …
Can we do something to make ourselves genius?
While becoming a genius involves a combination of innate talent and environmental factors, we can enhance our potential by engaging in lifelong learning, cultivating curiosity, practicing creative problem-solving, and embracing challenges. Developing a growth mindset, collaborating with others, and seeking diverse experiences can also foster intellectual and creative abilities, helping us unlock our full potential.