Inside Politics with Hugh Linehan Is there any such thing as a political genius? With Helen Lewis
Jun 16, 2025
Helen Lewis, a journalist and author of The Genius Myth, delves into the cultural constructs surrounding genius. She discusses how society's definitions of genius shape perception, citing figures like Elon Musk and The Beatles. The conversation critiques the legacy of IQ testing, emphasizing individual worth beyond labels. Lewis also explores the complexities of creative collaboration versus the myth of the solitary genius. Additionally, she highlights historical barriers that marginalized groups face, advocating for a broader recognition of diverse talents.
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Genius as Secular Divinity
- The concept of genius fills a secular void once occupied by religion, offering a sense of the divine in human achievement.
- Genius is often seen as a special, almost sacred, force set apart from ordinary humanity.
Shakespeare's Genius and Mythology
- Shakespeare's genius is real but his status grew through myth-making and national identity construction.
- Many great achievements become celebrated partly due to cultural and political influences beyond their intrinsic merit.
Romantic Myth of the Suffering Artist
- Romanticism introduced the idea of the artist as a suffering, troubled outsider, a myth linked to illness and social change.
- This contrasts earlier views of artists as stable professionals serving patrons without dramatic personal mythologies.
