I was also troubled by the use of the word ‘genius’ in my high school. It was used to mark someone as different, in some inexplicable way. By using and repeating the word, the speakers built a consensus that the ‘genius’ had something different within them, something that was impossible to understand. At the same time they were denying themselves the faculties of ‘genius.’ I wanted to yell at them that they were no different, and contained all the same potential. I didn’t know how to do this without offending or seeming pretentious.

One other doubt stopped me. How is anyone to know the experiences of another? It is easy to assume that everyone has it just as easy as yourself, and devalue the effort that they expend. This would be a kind of ‘grey privilege,’ if you will. Though there no way to know for certain, I’m not going to discount the theory that gift is hard work. At least one genius seems to agree:

“It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer.” — Albert Einstein