The Nature Of The Human Genius - Term Paper Example

The Nature Of The Human Genius Throughout the course of history, there have been countless cases of extraordinary human beings whose inventions, thoughts, findings, hypothesis and theories have changed the world. People have been awed by the way their mind works, casting them off as superior intelligence, being one in a million. With the likes of Einstein, Aristotle, Galileo and Da Vinci amidst examples, most would often agree that these were people who were born with astonishing abilities. (Hart 8) They had something in them that set them apart from the rest, giving them a certain distinction. It is a rather simple statement with a lot of truth bound to it. Geniuses are, in fact, born and not created. The people who have in the past many centuries displayed their brilliance have undoubtedly been with it since birth. Many might argue that it is the passion and obsession which makes one a genius but the reality remains that there are just some people who have been gifted. Passion and obsession might coerce or compel to bring about an achievement which is uncommon but the difference between the achievement of a hard worker and the achievement of a genius is crystal clear. Currently, the word genius is being overused. In the American Dictionary, anybody with the intelligence quotient of 140 or above is considered as a genius. Keeping that criterion in mind, there might as well be over a million geniuses in the world right now. The olden word of genius was when a person did something spectacular, different from all the others, be it in any sector; music, art, science or philosophy. They made an input in the way the universe worked, astounding and enchanting everybody, changing the course of normal everyday lives. It is also possible that some intellect was formed by any incident or past experiences in the person’s life that had driven him or her to become one of those with the highest aptitude. But for certain, what other explanation is there for a child who is only four years old who has the potential to paint or draw better than almost ninety nine percent of children his age. The story ‘Two Kinds’ by Amy Tan takes on a mother trying to make her little girl into something of a genius, even though both mother and daughter are aware that the girl is talentless. Still, not accepting or perhaps unable to, the mother keeps putting relentless pressure on her daughter to execute some sort of genius, ruining their relationship in the process. An implementation of any kind does not bring out creativeness but rather antagonistic feelings which form a basis for hostility and nothing else. The daughter was so tired of being rushed or hurried into performing or being the best that it really brought out a hatred in her so much so that she did not even want to live, much less stay with her mother. Had the mother accepted that her daughter was average without overburdening her to be something more, a much happier and positive time could have been spent. There are people (especially parents) who believe that no one is born great and that it comes from within, but even science is beginning to research and admit a region of intelligence that is bigger in some than other. They say Einstein had difficulty in speaking as a child and he had derived one of the most crucial equations of physics and also gave Einstein’s theory of relativity which all science students still study and use today. (Wilson 1) Nothing is really black and white and there are mostly shades of gray. There will be many examples of such people as well who have practiced themselves into Genius, with their sheer hard work and mental exercises. But, and with good measure, they haven’t really done anything new. In Amy Tan’s story, Jing Mei, the protagonist is being forced by her mother to be flawless at playing the piano. Even though Jing Mei doesn’t take her lessons seriously, she and with time, her mother realize that she doesn’t really have any flair for the instrument. And even putting her side, if another person is able to play it really well, they won’t really be in the same league as Beethoven or Mozart. Jing Mei’s own cousin is some sort of a genius at chess and that only brings further pressure on her to become great at something like her cousin. Greatness is not genius and neither is talent. Genius is solely the power of the mind, with matchless intellect. Some people have luck with greatness on them and they make good leaders, good spokesman, good athletes and good writers. (Time 100, cover article) It is still not genius. Taking the childhood of the most intelligent people on this Earth, there is nothing very special or different about them. What they have been through, there are about a thousand people who might rightfully claim they have been through the exact same thing. But, they did not make the three laws of motion that Isaac Newton did. He was a great thinker, unique in his own element. It is not possible that not a single human before him was hit by a fallen apple from the tree. But it was him who solely questioned and figured out the invisible force of gravity. (Wilson 1) Exposure and experiences do make a person into what they are. It is what defines a person and how they analyze situations and dwell into theories. But no matter what evidence is gathered to prove about late butterflies that create the genius in themselves, it cannot admonish those that are born with these gifts. What was in Picasso’s paintings or Da Vinci’s? They were born in the centuries where art classes were not exactly available at famous studios in the cities where parents could take their children in the summer to ‘learn’ these talents. They had these abilities in their fingers the moment they came into this world with the pictures of the paintings in their minds later on. Clarifications and rational excuses could bring about an endless factualism but even those that do not agree would admit that not every single person born is ever the same. There are certain God gifted people who have remarkable minds that at once alights them aside from the general public to the keen and observant eye. Some sing, some paint while some take seconds to solve equations that might take minutes for a normal person. It is not because he or she has had practice; it is because they were born with a greater mental capability than their competitor. In a standard high school class, there is always that child who doesn’t study much but always tops the class. That means he or she’s mind power is more than the other students of the class. Coming back to Amy Tan’s book, ‘Two Kinds’ might be symbolizing the unspoken words that not every child has talent and not every child is born great. The book’s shouting theme might be the differences of a child and a parent or a rather more prolific theme such as being one’s own enemy as Jing Mei has been by abandoning any chances she had at creating her own talent to please her mother. However, the name of the story speaks volumes to what is between the lines. ‘Two Kinds’ might actually be representing the existence of a dividend between those who can and those who cannot, further depicting born geniuses and created ones. Jing Mei in her anger states “I won’t let her change me, I promised myself. I won’t be what I am not.” (Tan 134) It is more of a plea than a rebellion, wanting her mother to accept that she is who she is and not try and force her into being something she can never be. It comes naturally to a few and is earned by most. There is a huge difference between the two kinds. For one, it comes effortlessly while the other has to work for it, again marking birthright accomplishments rather than being it fruition of future endeavors. (Scott et al 32) William Shakespeare, probably the most well-known poet and play writer of his time wrote the words ‘Be not afraid of greatness. Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and others have greatness thrust upon them.’ (Shakespeare 2) This could not be truer than it is and perfectly explains the confusion of the scenario. However, greatness and genius are entirely two separate things and one must not mix them up. They are similar though, because a genius always has greatness, but it is better remembered that greatness is not always genius. Almost everyone who was considered genius had one thing in common. They did something new. They did something nobody had ever even thought of doing before and it formed a repute and respect which is unmatched by all. Simultaneously, what they do might or might not take time or effort (Times magazine 1). But for the average mind, it might not even ever happen if they tried it. The geniuses are also human with the same body parts as everybody else, but what really makes them what they are, is their brain. Steve Jobs could be considered a genius of the 21st century. He has created machines and gadgets that have literally changed the course of lives today. He did not possess the skills of a painter or the mind of a mathematician, but his creativeness was what made him into the genius class. (Live Science) A driving force is of course always there. There are numerous stories of geniuses who are misunderstood or are either called crazy. However, even more surprising is the fact that now mere children are devising theories that even sixty year old scientists wouldn’t have dreamed of. (Siedl 1) All in all, the ultimate conclusion is that genius comes naturally, from birth. The genius people do not work at being a genius, and they do not need to either. The above given examples prove that they were people whose past, present or future did not matter and what they had thought of or created was a brilliance on their own, with absolutely no counterpart. Genius is always born, and not created. Greatness or even talent can be created. But genius is not to settle for mere talent or singular achievements. Genius thrives to do something different, like all the others before him or her. And it exemplifies those who relish at the fact that they really are of a genius mind and utilize it for the betterment of mankind. Work Cited Amy Tan. The Joy Luck Club, London: Penguin, 2006. Jonathan M. Seidl, A beautiful mind: 12 year old boy sets out to disprove Big Bang, UK: The Blaze, 2011. Live Science. Creative Genius: The world’s greatest minds, 2006. Retrieved online from http://www.livescience.com/16429-genius-greatest-minds-jobs-einstein-hawking.html Michael H. Hart, The 100: A ranking of the most influential persons in History, New York: Citadel Press Book, 2000. Robert Scott, Root-Bernstein and Michelle Root-Bernstein, Sparks of Genius, London: Mariner Books, 2001. Tracy V. Wilson, How geniuses work, People, 2011. Retrieved online from http://people.howstuffworks.com/genius.htm Times, 100 ideas that changed the world, US: Times. 2011. William Shakespeare. The Twelfth Night, Washington Square Press, 1993. Read More