Elizabeth Gilbert on the Nature of Genius
Elizabeth Gilbert put together one of the best talks I’ve seen in quite a while. Well worth 20 minutes when you get a chance. Prior to the Renaissance, prior to “rational” humanistic thought, people spoke of “having a genius” rather than “being a genius”. This was news to me. Genius is etymologically related to the […]
Elizabeth Gilbert put together one of the best talks I’ve seen in quite a while. Well worth 20 minutes when you get a chance. Prior to the Renaissance, prior to “rational” humanistic thought, people spoke of “having a genius” rather than “being a genius”. This was news to me.
Genius is etymologically related to the word genie (or djinn), a spirit.
The word “Ole!” (a Spanish exclamation uttered during a great performance) used to be “Allah!” or the Moorish (Islamic) word for “God!”. Pointing out the presence of the divine in a brilliant performance.
“The most extraordinary aspects of your being… are on loan to you from some unimaginable source…” She speaks truth.
A glimmer of truth, but truth no less. Want to know what that source actually is?
Men of Athens… I see that you are very spiritual in every way…