There Are No Geniuses

Including Albert Einstein

Photo by Taton Moïse on Unsplash

Mr. Skeptical starts talking before I can begin. “I saw your title for today’s newsletter, and I think now you’ve really done it. You have exposed yourself as the egotistical, selfish idiot that you are. This title alone gives you away. I want our readers out there to know that I, Mr. Skeptical had nothing to do with this newsletter today.”

I expected this sort of reaction from Mr. Skeptical, but not quite as dramatic. After his barrage at me, he’s just sitting there looking at the far wall, not wanting to make eye contact. “Are you going to allow me to explain why I don’t believe in geniuses?”

“Hmmmmph. I’m sure you have some preposterous explanation.”

“I do have an explanation, and I don’t think it’s preposterous.”

I’ll acknowledge that our readers already know Albert Einstein: the epitome of genius. If I hear somebody say genius, automatically, an image of Albert Einstein comes to mind.

Does that happen to you?

Subconscious Fat at 30,000 feet

Most people would consider Albert Einstein a genius because of his scientific discoveries. However, I will use Einstein’s own quotes to argue that perhaps he didn’t see himself as a genius. And maybe even the whole idea of someone being a genius is flawed. Einstein showed us that time is relative, yet I believe he did the same with intelligence.

‘It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer.’

With the above quote by Einstein, I’d argue that he’s admitting he’s not so intelligent. He’s, in essence, admitting that he simply stays with a problem for an extended time, likely because he’s so curious and enthralled by the dilemma. In other words, he’s consistently working longer, looking at it from different angles. His following quote says a lot too.

The above quote speaks for itself. He’s saying intelligence contributes little, but talent and hard work a lot more.

“Hold on, Hermann. Have you ever considered that maybe Einstein was just a smart public relations man? If he said, “Yeah, I’m a genius, for I discovered relativity. It’s obvious.” If he said that, everybody would think he’s a conceded asshole.”

“Perhaps, but I believe he was being sincere. He also said,

‘Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I’m not sure about the former.’

Now there’s a quote I can argue was not a good PR move. He was saying how humanity can be very dumb. I think Einstein was honest with his quotes. He also admitted,

“I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious.”

Mr. Skeptical folds his arms, and his eyes narrow in on me. “That quote makes me think he was humble, for he didn’t need to brag about being a genius. Everybody already knew that. If he did brag, he’d have a reputation like Elon Musk. Many admire what Musk has done but consider him a conceded snob. Many would agree, especially since he bought Twitter, that Musk’s success has gone to his head.”

“I’d agree with you on Musk. However, let’s dig deeper into Einstein’s past to see why he may not have seen himself as a genius.” 

---

Subconscious Fat at 10,000 feet

First, let’s keep in mind that Einstein had a family tutor. How many children do you know today who, besides attending regular school, have a tutor?

I’m asking this of you, the reader, but Mr. Skeptical throws in his two cents. “Whole businesses are set up to teach kids math and reading skills. So, although today it’s rare to have a tutor come to one’s house and teach a child, there are plenty of tutoring businesses set up to teach kids, and there’s online tutoring. Heck, YouTube has some great tutorials.”

I hate it when Mr. Skeptical says something that makes sense. It makes me want to punch him, but I won’t give him the satisfaction of acknowledging his response.

Although one of his tutors said that Einstein was genuinely brilliant in math, remember that he didn’t talk till he was four years old. Most infants will speak their first words between 10 to 14 months. So as a toddler, many didn’t think Einstein was exceptionally bright.

I have a theory about Einstein’s success: he was initially exceptionally talented in left-brain thinking involving mathematics and logic. However, he was always taught music at a young age, which helped develop the right side of his brain. At first, he didn’t enjoy music. It wasn’t until he was 13, when he discovered the violin sonatas of Mozart, that he fell in love with music. This also makes me think of another quote by him that is,

‘The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination.’

I look at Mr. Skeptical, waiting for him to make some sort of remark, but he doesn’t. Is he giving me a taste of my own medicine when I didn’t acknowledge his response earlier? He’s such an asshole. After giving him a dirty look, I move on.

When Einstein was sixteen, he failed the entrance examinations to the Swiss Federal polytechnic school in Zurich. So, my point is that he wasn’t always considered a ‘genius’ by those around him.

Another consideration to ponder is Albert Einstein’s first wife: Mileva Maric. She met Albert Einstein at the polytechnic school in the mathematics and physics courses, which were very difficult for women to attend then. Over time they became more than just study partners and became romantically involved.

They were married in January of 1903, and it was in 1905 that Einstein had his miracle year, publishing four groundbreaking papers.

There’s enough evidence to show that Mileva Maric likely did help Albert in some of his groundbreaking work. However, scholars debate this on both sides. Some think she influenced his career, while others believe not.

Milena Marić Einstein and husband, 1912. Credit: ETH Zurich Archives (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Subconscious Fat at Eye-Level

Mr. Skeptical remains eerily quiet. I know he’s thinking of what to say to insult me. Finally, he pouts his lips and slowly nods before speaking. “You know many criticize and make fun of Einstein.”

“Yes, I’ve seen that while researching for this newsletter online. I’m kind of bothered by it.”

“Bothered?” He tilts his head with cocky confidence, like a detective about to make a suspect confess. “I’m surprised you’re bothered, considering you’re of German descent. Maybe you see it as an insult that Einstein was a Jew and became so famous.”

My hands clench into fists. I react by standing up and putting my right fist in the air, appearing to punch him. He leans back, prepared to avoid a blow, but I control myself. My fist turns into a pointed finger. “You’re making shit up. Don’t ever accuse me of being anti-Semitic. I grew up near Miami Beach. My first friends as a child were all Jewish. One of my two best friends today is Jewish.”

“Your great-grandfather, who immigrated from Germany to Cuba, was surely racist. Maybe that flowed into the offspring. Maybe there’s some Subconscious Fat there.”

“My great-grandfather and grandfather likely were. But who gives a shit. A lot of people were back then. I know my dad is not, and I’m not.”

He puts his palms up. “Fine, fine, so you’re not a racist, anti-Semite. But I believe something is going on underneath the surface. I believe there’s Subconscious Fat in you wanting to explain why you want to believe there aren’t any geniuses?”

Dammit, I hate to admit it, but he’s right. 

---

Practical Suggestions and Conclusions

“I’ll acknowledge that many could argue all day whether there are geniuses. However, I find a psychological advantage to thinking there aren’t any. I see a mental and psychological benefit in thinking that intelligence is relative.”

“How so?”

“Well, I’ve written several novels. If I thought that some people are simply born with a genius ability to write, it may have led me to believe that I shouldn’t bother beginning to write. Instead, I want to think that a writer can be great by working consistently on the craft. I’d read some old classic novels and wasn’t impressed.”

“Give us an example.”

“The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald was mediocre for me. When the book came out in 1925, it was a commercial disappointment. At first, it sold less than 20,000 copies. F. Scott Fitzgerald died in 1940, thinking of himself as a failure in writing. Nevertheless, during World War 2, the American Government distributed free copies of The Great Gatsby to its fighting men overseas. Here are men about to risk their lives fighting in a terrible war, and they are given this book: The Great Gatsby. I believe the mediocre book greatly impacted their lives because of what these servicemen were going through. This generated huge popularity for the book, creating a relook from a scholarly point of view. Soon most high schools were making it required reading.”

Photo by Girl with red hat on Unsplash

“Hmmm, I didn’t know that about The Great Gatsby.” Mr. Skeptical looks at me doubtfully.

“I did enjoy the movie with Leonardo DiCaprio. It was better than the book. I’ll give you another example: Stephen King. I love some of his books, but he’s also written a few that sucked.”

Mr. Skeptical straightens up like he’s just gotten a great idea. “When have you had so much time to write novels?”

I sigh. Questions, questions, questions. “It doesn’t matter. I’ve written rough drafts. Today’s newsletter is about the Subconscious Fat that maybe something like the word genius is a dumb made-up human construct.”

Mr. Skeptical leans back in his chair and puts his feet up on my writing table, folding his arms. With an air of snobbery, he gazes up, avoiding my eyes, and says,“As usual, you haven’t changed my mind.”

I want to end here today by suggesting to you all in reader-land to make up your own minds if you wish to believe in geniuses. I’m convinced I benefit by falling on the side of Einstein’s own words: ‘Genius is 1% talent and 99% hard work.’

Do you believe geniuses are a real thing?

Be aware, for your belief will have consequences.