Comment by nonrandomstring
3 days ago
> Actual geniuses do not exist.
A genius was one of the Roman house gods lucky dwellers might cohabit with. One is not a genius, rather one has a genius [0].
There were many specialised genii, ones for helping with childcare, one to make great cooking, or loving etc.
A genius channels spiritual/cosmic energy. Creatives who understand genius feel their creative source in a higher power, helped by their genius.
To "have a genius" then, is the most humble expression and acknowledgement that your created work and achievements are not fully your own.
This is a million miles from the modern assholery of the arrogant poseurs and imposters mentioned in TFA.
Yes, etymologically close to the word gnosis, which means knowledge. To learn and teach is to channel the spirit, etc.
But words change, myths change, and sometimes you need to shake them off a little bit to encourage a shift in perception.
Talking about piñatas in this case seemed more appropriate for the problem at hand.
> piñatas
Thanks for that word. I'm probably not smart enough to get your exact point, but I just had a nice dive into Mexican culture.
Mexicans are kind people.
In Brazil, the equivalent ritual is "malhar o Judas", or, "to beat the crap out of Judas", when an actual doll representing a traitor is beaten during street carnival festivals.