Worklife with Adam Grant WorkLife: The myth of genius with Helen Lewis
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Aug 19, 2025 
Helen Lewis, a staff writer at The Atlantic and author of The Genius Myth, delves into the cultural perceptions of genius. She discusses the societal pressures created by labeling individuals as genius and the dangers of idolizing them. Lewis shares insights about the struggles faced by child prodigies in adulthood and highlights the importance of support systems for women in creative fields. This conversation challenges traditional views of success, emphasizing hard work and collaboration over solitary brilliance.
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Celebrate Acts Not Icons
- Helen Lewis argues we should celebrate acts of genius rather than deify people as geniuses.
- She says reframing genius restores context and acknowledges collaborators behind achievements.
The Visiting Spirit Of Creativity
- Helen Lewis compares ancient ideas of genius as a visiting spirit to modern beliefs in fixed genius.
- She finds the visiting-spirit metaphor useful for explaining unpredictable creative bursts.
Media Turned Talent Into Brand
- Lewis links the rise of the genius myth to mass media, photography, and capitalism in the 19th–20th centuries.
- She argues publicity and market branding turned individuals into celebrity geniuses.
