Re: [Harp-L] Genius is a verb, too

[Eric Nielsen <ericbarnak@xxxxxxxxx>]

Thanks for encouraging all of us, Richard, and giving me some hope. I would
like to pour into this mix the--maybe-little-known--tidbit that a genius, to
the Romans, denoted a guardian spirit--especially involved with those things
that we enjoy.

Eric

On Mon, Apr 26, 2010 at 9:16 PM, Richard Sleigh <rharp@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

>
> The thread about genius has finally made me want to throw in my two cents,
> as I believe that there are some good questions to ask about the debate. One
> is "What is the point of this discussion?" Another is "What are the
> assumptions we are making here?"
>
> People who do research on accelerated learning and human potential (Donna
> Cercone, Brian Tracy, Dennis Waitley Win Wenger among others) claim that
> genius is a way that we use our minds and can be learned.
>
> When we do this "who is a genius" game, It puts us in the position of being
> passive judges of something that we don't have and others do. The idea  that
> we cannot access genius is poisonous and just plain wrong. It is an example
> of "learned helplessness" - I'm not a genius so why bother trying to be one?
>
> A baby elephant tries over and over to break free of the rope that has it
> tethered. It gives up eventually after hundreds of futile attempts. The same
> elephant grows up with enough strength to easily break free of the rope, but
> never tries because it "knows" that it can't do it.
>
> We tend to do the same thing with our own potential as musicians (and in
> many other areas where we are "stuck"). We learn early on that we are not
> "geniuses" and we accept "reality" instead of relentlessly working at
> creating genius as our reality.
>
> Instead of debating who is a genius, wouldn't it be more fun to check out
> people who spend a lot of  time in the genius mode and ask "what are they
> doing?" "How can I do that?"
>
> This is what I see going on over and over again at SPAH and other events
> like it. People come here and start relaxing and unwinding and after a
> certain amount of sleep deprivation and hanging out with inspiration, start
> having flashes of their own true genius. Something in the air makes them
> forget their usual self imposed limitations and they cut loose and play
> brilliant, alive music. With some it comes in flashes and then they get self
> conscious and it goes away. With others they get on the good foot and stay
> there for a while..... Some folks live there most of the time, and they get
> the label "Genius". Sometimes.
>
> That is one of the reasons that I love SPAH. I love being around people who
> are experiencing genius. Especially their own, even if they don't choose to
> call it that.
>
> Harpe Diem!
>
> Richard Sleigh
> author, "Turbocharge Your Harmonica, Vol. 1, - Straightn Up and Tune Right"
>
> P.O. Box 23
> Boalsburg PA 16827
>
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