Discussion » Statements » Rosie's Corner » How much imagination does it take to invent/create/achieve? How large a part does intellect play therein? Can mediocre create genius?
RosieG

How much imagination does it take to invent/create/achieve? How large a part does intellect play therein? Can mediocre create genius?

Would you have to be a great intellect to paint the SISTINE CHAPEL CEILING?

WHADDABOUT a wonderfully beautiful melody? Genius or mediocre can produce it?

Where does genius and mediocre become equal? Doing what producing what achieving what?

Posted - September 24, 2019
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Responses


  • 16963
    There can be a bit of "idiot savant" involved. It's believed that Nikola Tesla was autistic. Mozart had a lewd, bawdy sense of humour, and Beethoven was socially awkward, as was Charles Dodgson (Lewis Carroll).
      September 24, 2019 7:39 AM MDT
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  • 113301
    I think of the movie RAIN MAN with Dustin Hoffman and Tom Cruise. Great movie. I wonder what causes that R? To be completely BRILLIANT at doing one thing? I didn't know about any of that. I mean the music Mozart composed certainly didn't seem to come from a lewd bawdy mind. It is so pure and clean and precise. Wasn't Beethoven deaf? I'm guessing being socially awkward meant that one lived a lot in fantasy which produced some very fine writing from the point of view of intricately woven fantasy. Take J.K. Rowlings. Where did all of that infinitely fine tapestry of ideas she showed in the Harry Potter books come from? Also once in awhile we see very young children who are unbelievable composers or painters or jazz musicians. They're born that way because in their case they practically hit the road running. Genius from another time? Passed down from generation to generation? Just thought of another question. Thank you for your reply! :)
      September 25, 2019 3:09 AM MDT
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  • 16963
    Mozart also wrote a four part harmony for a male choir entitled "Leck Mich Im Arsch" - free translation, "Kiss My A$$".
    Beethoven went deaf late in life, he certainly wasn't that way when he composed the Fifth Symphony. He was when he wrote the Ninth, there's a moving story about him being given a standing ovation when it premiered, but as the conductor he had his back to the audience and was unaware of it. The lead soprano, with tears in her eyes, went up to the podium and turned him around, so he could see the adulation even if he couldn't hear it.
    Rowling was a single mum who had a dream. It paid off in spades. This post was edited by Slartibartfast at September 25, 2019 5:24 AM MDT
      September 25, 2019 4:39 AM MDT
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  • 113301
    You're SERIOUS? KMA? Wowzer! That took a lot of feisty. Maybe it is the arrogance of genius? I wonder. Are the very intelligent more apt or less apt to be arrogant? Gotta ask! That story about Beethoven is very moving. He heard it in his head. There is young girl who has been profiled on 60 minutes who is a prolific composer. Perhaps you've seen her? Her head is always filled with music! I cannot imagine that. Oh of course a favorite tune will linger in my head from time to time but not 24/7! Thank you for your informative reply R. I appreciate it! :)
      September 25, 2019 4:44 AM MDT
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