# Fire in the Crucible Author: [[John Briggs]] ## Review Fascinating look at what makes a creative genius by summarizing research on geniuses and creativity, and investigating a selection of famous genius. The book itself was sometimes an excruciating read: too many fancy words and unnecessary analogs to alchemy (with which most people are unfamiliar). At other times it had some very poetic passages. ## Summary Creative geniuses shared a common desire for understanding truth or creating a model of the world, resulting in a new perspective which often shatters conventional wisdom. They apply clusters of themes (mental models), which are quite different from the rest of the field, to a problem in order to get a different perspective or solution. They work across a spectrum of creative enterprises which they view as related through an underlying structure (and to their clusters of themes). Ambivalence was an important character trait. Creators are riddled with contradictory thoughts and emotions such as da Vinci's desire for perfection and to carry out a task quickly; or his ability to focus intently and to get distracted easily. These conflicting thoughts can be a source of learning and attention. The contradictory thoughts and feelings allowed the creators to discover nuances. But in order to see the nuance they had to be comfortable with the uncomfortable feeling brought by doubt and contradictions. Creators have an ability to hold opposing thoughts, to simultaneously construct thesis and antithesis, in a form of janusian thinking. Although geniuses have talent, they don't have to be prodigies (instances of exceptional talent). Talented people have an ability to reach high levels of concentration and absorption which all geniuses shared. If talent allows you to climb the mountain path quickly, genius is discovering that there is an elevator. Creative geniuses are also often seen as being crazy, for which there is some evidence. Although it could also be likely that the creators think so differently that others cannot understand and therefore think they are crazy. The creative process starts with an idea that germinates. The idea develops through a feedback of talent, themes, traditions and the unraveling idea itself. The idea develops through small leaps, culminations of time spent thinking and solving. To summarize, the core elements of creative genius are: a desire for discovering truth, talent, concentration and absorption, clusters of themes, ambivalence, attention to nuance, comfort with uncomfortable thoughts and contradictions, courage to be different. Anyone can become a genius. You need to apply your talents to your vision and become absorbed by it. It takes courage to let your themes and perspective flourish and not let it become homogenized. Do it for the joy of discovering an underlying truth and to share it; don't do it for fame or status. ## Notes - Part 1 is describes what creative vision is - Part 2 describes what is needed for creative genius: talent, thinking processes, interaction with forces of history, and a hint of madness. - The search for truth is the most important which requires self criticism. - There is a balance between the imagination and judgement. - the creators share a drive to share the truth they have discovered, which is why they often go through a lifetime of constructing the language or circumstances to understand their truth. - The discovery of new perspectives also relates to Kuhn's concept of scientific revolution through paradigm shifts. These shifts happen when the metaphor of scientific model of the time becomes exhausted. - There does not need to be absolute truth in this new perspectives or discoveries but rather a fruitful way of looking at reality; a better model. - > Darwin wrote: “From earliest childhood on I have had the strongest desire to understand and to comprehend whatever I observed.” - The creator has a sense of being chosen, not to become famous but to accomplish 'a cosmic task' meant for them. It suggests a paradox of humility and conceit. - Descartes' work across all fields was part of a single creative enterprise, looking to uncover principles underlying everything. In a way I feel similarly trying to understand the interrelations and drivers of markets, society, history, religion, thought and science. - [[Concentration]] and absorption are critical talents of geniuses. - [[IQ]] is a poor predictor, according to studies cited by the author, of real world performance. - Einstein had statistically more glial cells. What is the purpose of these. - There is a difference between a prodigy, an instance of extraordinary talent for something, and a creative genius in the field. - There has been no child genius, who has reorganized a field as a child. Talent allows you to climb the mountain quickly, quicker than anyone else. Genius is realising there is an elevator that takes you there quicker. Talent is content to take the same route, genius finds another way. - > Feldman observes that prodigies seem only to occur in fields where there are well-defined steps for achieving mastery. - Prodigies have ability to concentrate, to reach the flow state that allows one to meld with the problem and forget their surroundings. - > "Prodigies commit themselves intensely to their talents; geniuses commit their talents intensely to their visions." - For prodigies the task of mastery is almost too easy. Without the challenge or conflict there is no need to re-orient the field to their talents and away from their shortcomings. - There is a paradoxical laziness, as well as restlessness (resulting in the network of creative enterprises). - No one should have the goal of becoming a creative agenius. It's out of your control. Have a goal to create a new perspective on reality and to convey it to others. Be a truth seeker, and if you discover something big enough you might be a creative genius in the eyes of others. - What if everyone can become a genius but few people allow themselves to focus on nuance and a unique perspective. It takes courage to be different and to have different opinions & beliefs than those around you. Maybe we should encourage that and be tolerant af differences. This would encourage anew worldview to creatively emerge. ## Related [[Creativity and Genius]], [[Creative Thinking]]