Hunter/Gatherer of Genius that is..
There are two fronts at which I work as a hunter of genius:
1st the individual – to discover, develop and define the vision of the visionary so they can apply their genius in the world.
Too many brilliant ones find themselves frustrated and working at a fraction of their capacity; or worse yet, surrender to being cubicle slaves (even if the handcuffs are platinum). If you’re particularly gifted the rewards can be so much sweeter than could be expected of common existence; but the hero’s journey to get there, to birth your vision into reality, requires irrational optimism, often ferocious detemination, a bloody good sense of humour and a clarity that sees you through cynicism, challenge and the perennial offers to take the easier route (ie. choosing Life Lite).
Going this route alone is what wears most genius-types down. Risk is not as risky when taken with others braving their all, sometimes betting finances, family, looking foolish. Why test the edge when the safe ground has been proven stable?
Some people just don’t have a choice, the compulsion to explore, experiment and dare is deep-infused into their entrepreneurial blood. I believe and have empirical evidence that absolutely supports that genius begets genius. It statistically outclasses genetics or formal education.
Put bright people together and let them play, socialise, debate, create, compete and very soon a culture of exceptional quality grows, and starts to attract more of these high calibre beings effortlessly! Silicon Valley is a case in point.
So you guessed it: the 2nd aspect is being a gatherer of genius.
Creating collectives of the talented, group genius. Developing culture in which fiercely independent and wild beings can connect with others to create & work on daring projects together. Explorers Societies of our age.
The 27dinners, as factious as they may be in these early phases are a good example of this, born of the geekdinners and BarCamps. Another of the maxims that has shown its consistency through economic history is that culture precedes commerce. There is method in the madness of playing together first.
(And I’m not bloody well playing golf to get the advantages – dinner & fabulous wine now THAT’s an idea)
I did a post yesterday at SARocks! on the challenges we face with start-up culture particularly in the tech sector here in South Africa. We have some visionary leaders coming to the fore, some hypertalented hardworking geeks, beauty-obsessed designers and fascinated venture capitalists.. it could be worse!
In celebration (cerebration!) of those who are building the foundation & came to the 27dinner in Cape Town >>
[slideshare 27416 27dinner-capetown-29049]
(click through the slides for their blogs)
PS. for those of you weren’t sure why Guy Lundy – [CEO of the new Accelerate Cape Town, futurist and working economist, visionary strategist and generally startling smart fellow] (LOL spot the raving fan) was speaking at the dinner.. you soon will.
[Image thanks to Science Magazine ]
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I’m feeling something here. That sense you know something…
Now this is an outrageous post! It is remarkable in that it states the obvious but the obvious has always seemed to allude the gifted people. Genius does not normally bother about teamwork or social occassions.
Genius is a lonely state of mind. Shame.
Here Max sets out an invitation to get together and hang out and see what happens. I like this concept. And I bet that something wonderful will result.
So Max, can I come over and play for a while?
oh excellent scatterling it would be an honour ;-) would that we could tempt you from your Northern climes for a while to come & play in the wilder hinterlands of the South for a little.. yiiihaaaaaaaaaa sounds like a JOL!!
No bloody barbarian naartjie-throwing though see, we’re civilised now ;-P
[...] iconclastic song “We’re an American Band”. Go on, sing it loud, “I’m still a Cubicle Man“. Yeah, yeah! Unlike Grand Funk, this morning I don’t have anything to be happy about [...]
No naartjie throwing = no caveman fun!
Seriously, how can one of life’s little gems not be conserved, nurtured, defined and made into a truly great spectator sport (think about it….!)?
Sometimes rugby matches can be boring so one needs a distraction that is skill reliant, provides a humerous interlude and keeps the spectators in the ground. Naartjie-throwing is therefore ideally placed to fill this need.
I wonder if Twickenhan would allow Clementine-throwing?! Or maybe Satsuma-chucking? Mmmmmm…….
M,
That Flash thing still doesn’t work (IE 7.0) – try this:
http://activecontent.blogspot.com/
CU
thanks for the heads.up on the IE issue.. popped in a plug-in & it’s doing its thing all smoothlike now >>
thanks for helping keep me in line ;-)
[...] Max, Hunter of Genius, said, “Put bright people together and let them play, socialise, debate, create, compete and very soon a culture of exceptional quality grows, and starts to attract more of these high [...]
Max, we lot out in the bush, OK, GardenRoute, have caught on to your “getting great minds together” concept, and am getting together for the greater good of mankind.
Check out our Wiki to see what it is all about.
“I have mumbled in sunshine, mumbled in the rain,
mumbled in euphoria, ecstasy and pain …
Mumbled in the morning,
mumbled in the night.
I’m gonna keep on mumbling,
until I get it right”
Clark Terry – trumpeter
blog on …
Leave your response!
In Association with:
Max Kaizen blurb lalalala etc. bio. Hunting genius, not defined by a Stanford-Binet number but by a visionary capacity, good taste in problems, the ability to forge unusual creative connections, the brave foolishness to fail gloriously and generosity of spirit to build something beyond personal gain.