Genius-phobia and the Attack Vector

This article discusses genius-phobia, and compares and contrasts it with other discriminatory phenomena including homophobia, racism, antisemitism, etc.

I will also discuss the attack vector related to genius-phobia and how it impacts the life experience of a genius.

I frequently get asked how similar or different genius-phobia is to homophobia, racism or antisemitism.

From a sociological perspective there is a commonality that defines any discriminatory or xenophobic phenomenon.

In this case a minority that is biologically determined at birth has a significantly different life experience than the majority. Yet that minority perspective is not fully described in the majority’s thought and value structure.

Therefore many people are unaware of the existence of this minority and its life perspective. This leads to several modes of misunderstandings in interactions, which can then lead to conflict.

Unfamiliarity with a minority is a common contributor to discrimination in xenophobic phenomena.

In the case of geniuses the minority is so small that most people are never exposed to a genius. Therefore the amount of misunderstanding is significant.

In addition, several information channels spread misinformation about the phenomenon of genius and thereby amplify the discrimination.

Included in this misinformation are stereotypes, which are also common for other discriminatory phenomena, like racism, homophobia or antisemitism.

The frequent stereotypes for geniuses are mad genius, evil genius, antisocial genius, crazy genius, brilliant jerk, etc…

Most of these stereotypes are wrong and their actual existence is already discriminatory. In reality geniuses are some of the nicest and most principled humans on the planet.

If we do ever come across any geniuses that exhibit negative behavior, it is primarily because of the lifelong discrimination and violence they were exposed to since childhood.

To be continued…