The risk of becoming a lonely genius
Thanks to the internet, we can all dive into the smallest of niches, meet people from all over the world, and specialize like never before. We live in a time when it is easier than ever to become a genius, and there is a narrative that you have to harness your uniqueness.
Everyone wishes to be called a prodigy or genius, and many amazing founders get that sobriquet. But if you end up there, you realize what it means; you’re not part of “normal,” and you can’t be understood.
To call someone a genius is quite an impersonal thing. There is no bridge. You can’t meet the person if they are a genius. To call someone a genius is to write them off as outside your understanding. But what creative people actually require to grow, like any good plant, is to be seen and understood. — Jacob Collier [1]
By choosing your own diet, musical style, hobby, religion, programming language, and so forth, you “roll your own culture. [3]” And you can climb to become unique from the comfort of your home. But you risk becoming unique and alone — or a genius on a pedestal. You can be admired from a distance and not risk disappointments or emotions.
However, the problem is losing the sense of community and belonging.
Finding your people has way more value than getting up on a pedestal. You need to find “your people,” but that will require work—if you’re not relying on luck and randomness. I know many founders who spent time in Silicon Valley and felt seen and understood for the first time. For others, it’s at university, hiking, or Burning Man. For some, it is their co-founders.
Most find their people chasing an obsession. You want to be in the room where it happens, and there you meet the people sharing that urge. Or knowledge, or spiritual connection, or their love of trains. It is chasing what you would do even if you weren’t paid. Most call it hobbies or interests, but for founders, it is usually labeled “work.”
So, get out of your comfort zone. Don’t be content, even if it feels safe. Chase something that matters to the world and find your people — even if people risk calling you a genius.
[1] Colin & Samir’s interview with Jacob Collier: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7rvDA3MARk
[2] Rolling Your Own Culture and (Not) Finding Community blog post: https://www.ribbonfarm.com/2017/01/10/rolling-your-own-culture-and-not-finding-community/
