National Geographic: What Makes a Genius?

Some ideas and creations are visionary and influential, spreading around the globe to resonate through the ages. The work of Albert Einstein, with the theory of relativity, and William Shakespeare whose plays explore human relationships and emotions, are two examples. Scientists study the sources of genius, which may not be easily identifiable. “Genius is too elusive, too subjective, too wedded to the verdict of history to be easily identified,” explains Claudia Kalb for National Geographic. “Instead we can try to understand it by unraveling the complex and tangled qualities – intelligence, creativity, perseverance, and simple good fortune, to name a few – that entwine to create a person capable of changing the world.” Neither genes nor environment can assure genius, although an individual’s creations often build upon others’ work, ushering in historical eras like the Renaissance and the Golden Age of Islam. Some researchers suggest that extraordinary perceptions by the senses, such as observation for Leonardo da Vinci or hearing for Mozart, may contribute. An ability to shed some routines is another. There is no question that many potential geniuses have been denied opportunity by lack of education, security, resources and proximity to others who could appreciate their work. – YaleGlobal