Genius
‘Genius is nothing more nor less than doing well what anyone can do badly.’ Amelia E. Barr (1831-1919)
It is the quintessence of optimism, and it would be most encouraging if it could be proved true. It assumes that all a person needs to succeed is determination or perhaps it is enough for another person to believe strongly enough in you.
That was certainly the case for Thomas Edison, the inventor who held more than 1090 patents in the United States alone. Among his inventions was the phonograph, in 1877, the first device able to record and play back sound. He also developed the motion picture camera and the first long-lasting incandescent light bulb. The first light bulbs were created by Humphry Davy in 1802, Heinrich Göbel in 1854, and Joseph Swan, who later worked with Edison.
Thomas Edison was the seventh and youngest child of his family, a curious and inquisitive boy. One day, when he was seven years old, he returned from school with a note for his mother. She read it out to him: ‘Your son is a genius. This school is too small for him and doesn’t have enough good teachers for training him. Please teach him yourself.’
From that point, the young boy was taught at home by his mother. Years later, after his mother had died, he found the note in a drawer. Unfolding it, he read: ‘Your son is addled. We won’t let him come to school anymore.’
Edison was shocked and cried for a long time and then he recorded in his diary the following words: ‘Thomas Alva Edison was an addled child that, by a hero mother, became the genius of the century.’
That is a splendid story, based on fact, but inaccurate. Edison disliked his crowded one-room school and his teacher. His teacher reprimanded him for being addled, or mentally ill, and he flounced home. It is believed now that he was dyslexic, a condition not then recognised, or for many decades afterwards.
Under his mother’s tutelage, Thomas flourished.
How many other young lives have been blighted by the misunderstanding or impatience of teachers?
"How many other young lives have been blighted by the misunderstanding or impatience of teachers?" I experienced an impatient teacher who lacked understanding - or seemingly the desire to understand - with my second daughter. It was a very hurtful thing and I got her out of that situation just as quickly as I could. Like Thomas, she then flourished!
ReplyDeleteSometimes there is a clash of personalities. I'm glad you were able to find alternative schooling for your daughter.
DeleteHow many others? My older son was bullied by a teacher when we had just moved from another state. She insisted he learn to write exactly the same script as the rest of the class, though his writing was legible. I asked her to please just let him keep his style as we would only be there for a few months. She insisted he follow the rules. He hated school for the rest of the year until we moved again and his grade four teacher was much better. Trouble resurfaced in high school and he left early and got a job instead.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard enough for children to find their feet in a new school without barriers being erected.
DeleteApart from the excellent point you make about the damage a poor teacher may cause, I'm struck that Edison called himself "the genius of the century." He wasn't noted for his great humility.
ReplyDeleteThe greatest geniuses don't regard themselves as such. Whether or not Edison said that about himself is open to question. I suspect it's just part of the fable. He is quoted as saying the following:
DeleteGenius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration
and
I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work:
Aha... I am relieved to realise that it is probably my teacher's fault that I am not a genius. I knew it couldn't possibly be mine! 😁
ReplyDeleteYou can rest easy now - and so can I. 🙄
DeleteI've known a couple of people who were dyslexic, one a well educated antique dealer and the other a car body repairer with brilliant business skills and good cunning. It is a curious problem, but as with Edison, it doesn't stop some sufferers becoming high achievers.
ReplyDeleteI think there are many people with similar experiences.
DeleteIt is such a story about individual strengths and weakness varrying from person to person
ReplyDeleteIt's a truism to say that everyone is good at something, though that thing may not always be recognised.
DeleteHow did Thomas Edison really control his 1090 patents or did other people share the load? Controlling 2 or more blogs is often too much for individuals.
ReplyDeleteI found the following:
ReplyDeleteA patent is a legal contract that gives the owner the right to protect their invention for a set period of time. It prevents others from making, using, selling, or importing the invention without the owner's permission.
Inventors: Patents provide legal protection for their inventions.
Patents can be assigned, transferred, licensed, or used by the owner. The owner can also give someone else temporary permission to use the invention through a patent license agreement.
It's an interesting exploration, whatever one is to make of the particulars.
ReplyDeleteGenius takes so many forms.
DeleteEdison's mother was certainly a genius to go against the education norm. That's where he got his genius from and entrepreneurial spirit
ReplyDeleteShe must have been an intuitive teacher.
DeleteIn some ways the education system has come a long way. In many districts there are opportunities for all styles of learning. However, too many teachers still try to treat all children the same way.
ReplyDeleteWe shall never have a truly good education system until we can attract really good candidates. There are some very effective teachers, but there are still too many whose heart is not in the job.
DeleteHis mother did the right thing.
ReplyDeleteWise woman.
DeleteI certainly give full marks to Edison's mother :)
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
She understood her youngest child and knew how to help him develop.
DeleteThankfully, Edison had a mother that believed in him. From what I understand, she let his curiosity guide him and he was a full participant in his education. His Mom let him do experiments in the house, which not every parent would do.
ReplyDeleteWe would have been the poorer without his curiosity.
DeleteAs a first grade teacher I'm sure a number of parents thought their child was a genius. However, I had one parent who came in saying, "I don't want to say my son is a genius but he's already read the Harry Potter series, the English version, not the American." Well, he was extremely bright and could read anything. However he wasn't able to write much. We were able to work on that and soon he was writing incredibly well crafted multiple page stories. I don't exactly know if he was a genius, but he sure must have been close. I tried to look him up wondering how he was doing now but his name is too common.
ReplyDeleteI imagine Edison's teacher just must not have understood his needs. Luckily, his mother did and we are all benefiting from his inventions.
Interesting child! I often wonder about the children I've taught.
ReplyDeleteFull marks to Edison's mother who believed in her son's abilities where ever they led him.
ReplyDeleteFull marks, indeed.
ReplyDelete