Are Geniuses Kids That Never Grew Up?

A NASA study suggests a provocative idea: while most children exhibit traits of genius in tests, the same cannot be said for adults. This raises a question — does the genius within atrophy with age, or is it stifled by society’s constraints? The child’s mind, unburdened by preconceptions, asks questions that might seem naive or simple to the adult intellect. Yet, it is precisely this quality of inquiry that has led to some of the most groundbreaking innovations in history.

The “Whys” of Historical Geniuses

Consider Isaac Newton, whose curiosity about an apple falling from a tree led to the laws of motion and universal gravitation. Or the Wright Brothers, whose fixation on the flight of birds ushered in the era of aviation. Marie Curie pondered over the peculiar emissions of certain materials, which ultimately led to the discovery of radioactivity. These historical figures did not necessarily possess high IQs; they shared a common trait — a relentless child-like inquiry into the nature of things. Thomas Edison’s desire to illuminate the darkness, Leonardo da Vinci’s fascination with the flight of birds, and Galileo’s observations of planetary motion all stem from a profound desire to understand and improve the human condition.

IQ vs. Genius: The Yale Study

A study from Yale supports the notion that IQ does not directly correlate with genius. Genius is not a lightning strike of brilliance, but rather, it is a persistent questioning, a refusal to accept things as they are. Archimedes’ principles, Gutenberg’s printing press, Tesla’s vision of wireless electricity, and Tim Berners-Lee’s foundational work on the World Wide Web all arose from asking simple yet profound questions.

Genius in the Modern Age

More recently, figures like Steve Jobs and Elon Musk have shown how asking “why” — why can’t computers be easier and more intuitive to use, or why can’t electric cars go mainstream or why can’t we go to Mars?

The Genius in All of Us

The implication is clear: genius is not the exclusive domain of the historically monumental figures; it is an intrinsic part of the human condition. The curiosity and the audacity to think differently are what fuels progress. This is underscored by the many geniuses who have asked “Why?” at pivotal moments throughout history, from Archimedes to Rosalind Franklin, from George Washington Carver to Hedy Lamarr. Finding the genius within begins with embracing vulnerability, standing out from the crowd, and being unafraid of ridicule or dismissal. The path of genius is not paved with accolades and immediate recognition; often, it is marked by laughter or ignorance from the masses. Yet, as history shows, the most ridiculed ideas can sometimes be the harbingers of brilliance. Genius is not a rare phenomenon; it’s within each of us, assuming we are unafraid to ask child-like questions — and stand up to the crowd.

Written by Stephen B. Klein