The Next Big Idea GENIUS MYTH: The Dangerous Allure of Rule-Breakers
42 snips
Jul 10, 2025 
Helen Lewis, a staff writer at The Atlantic and author of The Genius Myth, challenges the traditional notion of genius that elevates individuals over achievements. She discusses how labeling someone a genius often breeds elitism and harmful behavior. By highlighting the collaborative nature of creativity, she critiques famous historical narratives and the pitfalls of lone genius myths. The conversation also navigates the dark side of Silicon Valley success and explores how chance and community play vital roles in innovation, reshaping our understanding of what genius truly means.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
The Myth of the Lone Genius
- The obsession with genius often obscures the truth that breakthroughs usually need collaboration and luck.
- Labeling someone a genius grants them a dangerous superiority that can justify bad behavior and privilege.
Genius as a Mythic Story
- Genius is not an objective achievement but a mythic story tied to personalities and cultural narratives.
- It often downplays collaboration and the creative environment that fosters breakthroughs.
Genius as Collective Intelligence
- Breakthroughs frequently come from creative collisions within vibrant communities rather than isolated individuals.
- Viewing genius as a communal intelligence, or "scenius," enriches understanding of innovation.
