There are two kinds of geniuses: the 'ordinary' and the 'magicians'. An ordinary genius is a fellow whom you and I would be just as good as, if we were only many times better. There is no mystery as to how his mind works. Once we understand what they've done, we feel certain that we, too, could have done it. It is different with the magicians. Even after we understand what they have done it is completely dark. Richard Feynman is a magician of the highest calibre.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Some geniuses are understandable through effort, others seem mysteriously brilliant.
- In plain terms
- Ordinary geniuses can be understood, magicians cannot.
- What can you take from it?
- True brilliance can be inexplicable.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What makes genius seem mysterious?
- Can creativity be fully understood?
Another view
This distinction may oversimplify how creativity works.
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