In his 2012 Wired article “Cultivating Genius” Jonah Lehrer speculates that the key to cultivating genius is the presence of meta-ideas that create a breeding ground. (See article here)

The meta-ideas discussed in the article are:

1. Human mixing: diversity, and open immigration.
2. Education: open, experimental, and universal.
3. Support from risk-taking backers.

As usual the key to solving the problem is not to meet it head on. Instead of direct attack on the problem, zig when zag seems indicated. Or zag when zig seems indicated. This is not an effort at being a contrarian. Rather an acceptance of the truism that some problems are better handled by inspiration rather than perspiration. Continue reading →