Real Men of Genius

Einstein, Delacroix, Mozart, Louis Armstrong, Shakespeare, Dante, Cervantes, Homer, Virgil, Plato, Da Vinci, Thomas Edison, Steve Jobs and lest we forget—Bob Winter, the infamous man who created the Budweiser Real Men of Genius ads, one of the longest running ad campaigns in history—are all men of genius. Believe it or not, those catchy and creative radio ads are still going strong after twelve years!

Of course, the very thought of twelve years—which seems an eternity to us modern Americans—provides perspective for the way Plato, Homer, Virgil and DaVinci and others have permeated the wallpaper of history for hundreds if not thousands of years.

Genius.

The very word prompts thoughtful reflection. Few people are granted this accolade. And fewer people still, understand it.

Harold Bloom says in his insightful book Genius: A Mosaic of One Hundred Exemplary Creative Minds, “Since we do not know how else to account for Shakespeare (or Dante, Cervantes, Goethe, Walt Whitman), what can we do better than return to the study of the ancient idea of genius?

“Talent cannot originate, he says, “genius must.”

1. What is genius?

Emerson helps us as only Emerson (himself a genius) can.

“Is it not all in us, how strangely! Look at this congregation of men;-—the words might be spoken,—though now there be none here to speak them,—but the words might be said that would make them stagger and reel like a drunken man. Who doubts it? Were you ever instructed by a wise and eloquent man? Remember then, were not the words that made your blood run cold, that brought the blood to your cheeks, that made you tremble or delighted you,—did they not sound to you as old as yourself? Was it not truth that you knew before, or do you ever expect to be moved from the pulpit or from man by anything but plain truth? Never. It is God in you that responds to God without, or affirms his own words trembling on the lips of another.”

Journals (October 27, 1831)

“…did they not sound to you as old as yourself?”

A person learns to identify with what she or he feels is a greatness that can be joined to the self, without violating the self’s integrity.  Genius may be politically incorrect, as is the sacramental in evangelical circles—but as Bloom states, “…it is hard to go on living without some hope of encountering the extraordinary.”

Maybe Bloom says it best, “Genius is a mystery of the capacious consciousness.”

2. What makes genius possible?

The answer is a hearty WE DO! Our appreciation makes genius possible. “To be augmented by the genius of others is to enhance the possibilities of survival, at least in the present and near future.”

Truthfully, we may not ever know what makes genius possible. Is it God’s favor, providence, coincidence, luck? Why are few chosen, but most left out?

Talent is limited,  genius has no bounds. Genius is creative capacity. The Victorian historian Froude says, “genius is a spring in which there is always more behind than flows from it.”

I agree wholeheartedly with Bloom that even if we don’t understand it—we must defend the idea of genius. He says this idea has been abused by detractors, reductionists, sociobiologists through the materialists of the genome school, and various historicizers.

3) Why do we NEED genius?

Genius is no longer a term much favored by scholars, so many of whom have become cultural levelers quite immune from awe. Yet, with the public, the idea of genius maintains its prestige, even though the word itself can seem somewhat tarnished. We need genius, however envious or uncomfortable it makes many among us. It is not necessary that we aspire after genius for ourselves, and yet, in our recesses, we remember that we had, or have a genius, Bloom says.

Our desire for the sacramental and extraordinary seems to be an eternal part of our creation.

“The ages are all equal,” says William Blake, “but genius is always above its age.”

We cannot face the future without expecting that it too will give us a Baudelaire, a Picasso, a Willa Cather—or maybe even a Mr. Foot Long Hot Dog Inventor.

Who is the man (or woman) of genius that has influenced you most?



18 responses to “Real Men of Genius”

  1. Henley Avatar

    For me, I consider Aristotle and Marcus Aurelius to be geniuses. Both understood the importance of self reflection, and being aware of what one is looking for in life.

    Of course, all the major spiritual figures like Jesus and Buddha are also geniuses, IMO. They all realized truths that many don’t realize such as the importance of being compassionate, and not being attached to outcomes.

  2. Chuck Harris Avatar

    i would say the genius that helped form me the most was Rich Mullins. Genius with a touch of eccentricity and a humble heart. no airs, no selfish ambition, no vain conceit. Just Rich.

    I can also remember the first time I heard Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune by Debussy. i thought, oh what beauty, could i ever create a moment where people could see the music? Genius.

    Lately i’ve really been enjoying the pure genius of Andrew Bird. what a brilliant musician and overall eclectic madman?

  3. Keith Jennings Avatar

    Beautiful post, Randy. And great ensuing discussion in the comments.

    In the business world, I’d say Seth Godin. In the literary world, Gary Snyder. Both are thirst-quenching wells from which I (and many others) keep drinking.

    Seth wears Little Mismatch socks. Gary lives in seclusion in the Sierra Nevada mountains. So there’s your proof!

    1. Randy Avatar

      @Keith Jennings, I don’t know Gary Snyder. Need to look him up. I like the seclusion in the Sierra Nevada mountains.

  4. Matthew Ward Avatar

    Not sure I see a major problem in calling yourself a genius, if you are in fact one.

    1. Randy Elrod Avatar

      @Matthew Ward, I’m intrigued. I wonder if Shakespeare knew he was a genius?

      1. Keith Jennings Avatar

        @Randy Elrod, My completely unprovable theory is that a true genius may be aware of their gift, but in seeing the expanded horizon they’re gifted to see, they are very cognizant of how little they really know. It’s kind of how the more we grasp and glimpse God through experience and study, the more aware we are that we can’t scratch the surface of God’s breadth and depth. Does this make sense?

        1. Randy Avatar

          @Keith Jennings, Yes, that makes sense. Bloom says, “Shakespeare’s consciousness can seem more the product of his art than its producer.” I wonder as he watched his plays unfold if he knew that he was calling out the “best and oldest” in the viewers.

  5. Matthew Ward Avatar

    Maybe you are right, Einstein was known to put on two different colored socks.

    1. Randy Avatar

      @Matthew Ward, Yep. although, I’ve been known to do that and I definitely do not qualify as genius. Ha!

  6. Matthew Ward Avatar

    Maybe you are right, Einstein was know to put on two different colored socks.

  7. Kyle Reed Avatar

    To me it is Bono, his music, thoughts, and life are full of genius. But everyone probably thinks that about bono.

    Another guy is Nouwen. His raw honesty and grace felt books inspire me.

    1. Randy Elrod Avatar

      @Kyle Reed, Ah, yes. A contemporary genius. Bono. I agree. It was so funny watching Pastor Bill Hybels, a self-admitted black and white Dutchman try to interview Bono a few years ago at the Willow Leadership Summit. I would imagine it’s very tough to handily interview a genius.

      Nouwen has also influenced me greatly. Although I’m sure he would be uncomfortable with us calling him genius.

      1. Kyle Reed Avatar

        @Randy Elrod, I could not imagine interviewing bono or for that matter any genius. I would be afraid I would make assumptions and say something stupid. I wonder though (especially after your comment about nouwen) do geniuses know they are geniuses?

        1. Randy Elrod Avatar

          @Kyle Reed, That, Kyle, is a GREAT question. Thoughts anyone?

          1. Matthew Ward Avatar

            @Randy Elrod,

            It seems to me, that if someone isn’t smart enough to realize they are genius, then they probably are not.

            1. Randy Avatar

              @Matthew Ward, Ha…Matthew, then again…the few people I know that I would categorize as genius…hmmm…most couldn’t seem to know how to come in out of the rain…so it makes me wonder…

            2. Kyle Reed Avatar

              @Matthew Ward, I think it would be weird if you thought you were a genius, maybe an expert, but if you acknowledged you were a genius or even thought you were it would be you who brings the genius label not others.