Particularly when the word is watered down to describe any favorite personality, I am interested in knowing what people think it means. I know the dictionary definition already, by the way. Thanks!
2006-09-03 05:05:42 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Social Science ➔ Psychology
What a great question! The word is overused in some places, and too narrowly applied in others. When I hear something like the "the genius of Ozzie Osbourne," I cringe. Talent alone, especially a questionable talent, should not be considered genius in my opinion. Is a sword swallower a genius simply because he does something that most of us would not or could not do? Logic would tell us no, but the term is commonly applied to popular entertainers and others. Donald Trump and Carl Sagan have both been called geniuses, which makes me, like you, question how the word is used.
Yet in other circles, like MENSA, genius is a narrowly defined term meant for those who have a Stanford-Binet tested IQ of 140 or above. The Stanford-Binet test is extremely limited in the knowledge it tests, and is heavily slanted toward those who are mathematically inclined. Someone who is particularly gifted in other subjects, such as world history or English, may score only average on the IQ test, which in my opinion renders the test score meaningless for testing overall AND specific intelligence.
My definition of genius is a person who has extraordinary talent in at least one area and who ALSO has a broad intelligence that they apply to other areas in life. By this definition, the autistic child who plays piano brilliantly would not be a genius. Nor would the drug-addled, multiply arrested hip-hop artist be called a genius. (Many MENSA members would also not be geniuses under this definition). Geniuses would be functional, as well as specifically and broadly intelligent.
2006-09-03 05:36:52 · answer #1 · answered by Cynanon 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The definition of "genius' varies. Some say that a person that can recite information when asked is a genius. Some say it is when you can come up with answers that no one else seems to thing of.
I say that geniusness is in the balance of Education, Experience, and Perception.
Education is like the engine of a vehicle. Your mind turns and turns like a motor and education can fine tune that motor.
Experience is like the tires because you have to travel down many roads to achieve it. Many wrong turns, but also many correct ones.
Perception is what fuels the whole vehicle. It is not just what you see, it is also what you don't see that drives the inquisitive mind.
You are the Vehicle in which without any of these things, you would not be able to utilize your own geniusness.
2006-09-03 05:26:04 · answer #2 · answered by gejepsen 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Genius represents an originality of inspiration that is radically removed from current ideas and beliefs.
Charles Darwins theory of natural selection (evolution) is an example of a truly original idea which was in no way adapted from a previous idea.
hen you meet a very intelligent person you can say 'I could have thought of that in the right circumstance.' However a genius will be so clearly and radically different that you will marvel at how the conclusion was arrived at.
2006-09-03 09:25:49 · answer #3 · answered by bolters37 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
someone that comes up with a cure for all Cancer or World Peace would be a genius to me. I can wait to meet that person!
2006-09-03 05:13:08 · answer #4 · answered by L B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah, those guys who fix computers at the Apple Store.
2006-09-03 05:11:17 · answer #5 · answered by MJGarcia 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I was told it is having an IQ over 140. Don't know if that's true.
2006-09-03 05:10:44 · answer #6 · answered by Eric H 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
someone who is intelligent beyond most people
it could be someone who thinks of sometehing really smart to say
"Bob! That was genious!"
2006-09-03 05:07:16 · answer #7 · answered by Amander S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
While talent can genius must
2006-09-03 05:18:01 · answer #8 · answered by Praney Deb 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's related to how someone uses their mind, and not knowledge.
2006-09-03 05:07:30 · answer #9 · answered by JeffE 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For me it's remembering yesterday.
2006-09-03 05:11:42 · answer #10 · answered by jinxybear 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋