This chapter explores the origins and meaning of the word 'genius', discussing its Latin root 'Genno Gennare' and its connection to guardian spirits and divine creation. It delves into ancient Roman beliefs about genius being passed down through generations and how it was associated with a life-giving force. The chapter also explores the concept of genius in relation to divine inspiration and the potential dangers associated with exceptional insight.
In this show you'll hear the first episode of a documentary series I made for Himalaya, an audio service devoted to inspirational and educational content that asked me if I had any ideas for a book that I had yet to pursue, and sure enough, I did. The series is all about the difficulty of defining the word "genius," and out of that launching point it goes deep into the science of human potential and the history of the both the word and all the ideas we have attempted to understand and express when using it.
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Show Notes
Exploring Genius Audio Documentary