Genius: A Closer Look at Extraordinary Mental Power

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of genius, exploring personal experiences and perceptions of individuals deemed to possess extraordinary mental abilities. Participants share anecdotes, reflect on the characteristics of geniuses, and consider the implications of genius in various contexts, including education and social interactions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes a friend of their father's as a genius with exceptional memory, problem-solving skills, and knowledge across multiple disciplines, yet struggles with employment and social interactions.
  • Another participant questions the definition of genius, pondering whether it is based on innate capacity or the ability to utilize that capacity effectively.
  • Concerns are raised about young individuals with high IQs feeling discouraged by historical figures like Einstein, suggesting a need for motivation despite perceived challenges.
  • Several participants humorously assert their own intelligence, with one claiming to be the smartest person they know, while another reflects on the complexity of genius.
  • A participant shares their experience working with a practical genius who excelled in various technical fields, highlighting the diversity among individuals labeled as geniuses.
  • Another recounts a personal story of a peer who struggled in college despite appearing intelligent, raising questions about the pressures faced by gifted individuals.
  • Some participants mention notable figures they have met, such as Wayne Gretzky and P. A. M. Dirac, in relation to the concept of genius.
  • There is a humorous exchange regarding the poll's design, with multiple participants questioning the allowance for multiple answers.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

The discussion features a variety of perspectives on what constitutes genius, with no clear consensus reached. Participants express differing views on the characteristics and societal implications of genius, as well as personal anecdotes that illustrate the complexity of the topic.

Contextual Notes

Some statements reflect personal experiences and subjective interpretations of genius, which may not align with broader definitions or understandings. The discussion includes a mix of serious reflections and light-hearted banter, indicating varying levels of engagement with the topic.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in psychology, education, and the dynamics of intelligence may find the discussion relevant, particularly those exploring the social and emotional aspects of being labeled as a genius.

Have you ever known a genius?


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Parishrut
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By Genius I refer to a person with extraordinary mental power. :-p

My dad told me about a friend of his; his roommate in high-school who was a genius. I was completely mesmerized! As my dad told me: He could solve problems no teacher could, he could remember tiny, tiny details that no one could (photographic memory?), he enrolled in a highly regarded college in my country and topped all main and extra subjects and was a champion in chess there. He is around 50 years old and continues to study and learn for many hours a day and understands over twenty-five languages (that is a mere estimate). He has a great grip on history and can relate historical events better than any history professor (can do things like filling up of words of an old language on an obliterated stone tablet!). In short, he has an extraordinary brain power.

There is a bit of problem though - he is apparently unemployed, seemingly because his pride. He does not want to work under anybody (which is justified). But then he doesn't publish anything on his own either (despite motivation from friends), and yet continues to study on and teach his kids! He also seemingly isn't the best socially (is that not with all geniuses?).

That was just a little *I am learning English, please suggest a word to put in this space*.

But have YOU ever known a genius? Please participate in the poll if you haven't.

:smile:
 
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My experience has been that genius' are ten times smarter than they should be. :-)

What is a genius? One that has the capacity, or one that can harness their capacity?
 
A lot of geniuses post here. They're 16, have 188 IQs, are self-studying integration, and want to study physics and math all day and make major breakthroughs. But Einstein had an IQ of 240 and knew calculus at 4--should they just give up now because they have no chance in life?

I see that you only have two posts, so you probably have no idea what I'm talking about. Give it a few days and you likely will.
 
I'm the only person I know smarter than me.

To be fair, I'm probably not as smart as Tobias. Only 133 posts and he already knows how polls work on PF.
 
Channel 4 showed a competition on TV to find the brightest child in Britain. Here's a trailer:



It was impressive, hilarious and terrifying all at the same time.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Sorry I thought the poll said genus.
 
BobG said:
I'm the only person I know smarter than me.

Only a genius could say something like that!
 
BobG said:
To be fair, I'm probably not as smart as Tobias. Only 133 posts and he already knows how polls work on PF

Lol, that isn't an easy thing to do!
 
I worked for one for about three years.
Took me several months to figure out what he was.
They're not all the same... this one was imminently practical, equally at home rebuilding his airplane engine , designing electronics , or arguing nuclear physics with PHD's.
 
  • #10
I knew a guy who looked and acted like a genius, smart, nerdy, and all that, but when he hit college, it was like he slammed into a brick wall. He was a couple of years behind me, so I couldn't say for sure what did him in: being away from home for the first time, living with a lot of strangers, the pace of the work and the amount of studying to be done in a limited time, or what. He lasted one semester, then poof!, never heard from again.
 
  • #11
Well , I've met Wayne Gretzky.I guess that's not what you were looking for but that's all I have.
 
  • #12
I don't believe in ghosts.
 
  • #13
I met P. A. M. Dirac once, when I was a grad student. Does he qualify?
 
  • #14
Why does this poll allow multiple answers?
 
  • #15
Dembadon said:
Why does this poll allow multiple answers?

Paradox :-p
 
  • #16
Dembadon said:
Why does this poll allow multiple answers?

A genius might meet a genius!:-p
 
  • #17
Lisa! said:
A genius might meet a genius!:-p

Exactly!
 
  • #18
I am a genius. Simple.
 
  • #19
I doubt many of us will ever meet a genius on the level of say a John Von Neumann (who was so smart that some of the smartest scientists at his time thought even he was an alien from another planet), but some of my professors have been freakishly intelligent.
 

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