THE ART OF GENIUS: Eight Ways to Think Like Einstein

In this article Michael Michalko writes of the different ways geniuses think. Most people tend to think "reproductively". When a problem arises they select the most tried and true approach that has worked in the past and work within a clearly defined direction toward the solution. Geniuses think "productively". They are willing to explore all the alternatives, not just the most likely solution.

Of the eight thinking strategies scholars have identified that enable geniuses to originate original ideas I found the following the most interesting: 1) Geniuses look at problems from all angles. They creatively solve a problem by abandoning the first approach and reconceptualize the problem. In this way they do not merely solve the problem, they identify new ones. 3) Geniuses produce. A study of scientists found that the most respected ones produced more "bad" works than their less successful peers. 8) Geniuses prepare themselves for chance. When most people attempt something and fail we tend to ask: Why did we fail? Geniuses do not fixate on the preconceived plan so when they fail they ask: What have we done? Answering in a novel way is creative insight of the highest order.

-- Anonymous, January 17, 1999

Answers

Hello Chester: My name is John Hansen. I am an instructor in the Communication Department at UMD and the new facilitator for these discussions. I like how you started out with your remarks. "Genius" has been a puzzle for as long as we have been able to communicate. I would be interested in hearing your thoughts on what we can do to foster genius in ordinary people. Please e-mail me with your thoughts. Thanks! John

-- Anonymous, February 24, 1999