It might be extremely important that, at some point, you read ‘The Einstein Factor,’ as you will learn or re-learn precisely how
You were born a genius.
But to unleash your genius, the authors (Win Wenger and Richard Poe) argue that, amongst many other things, you may need to:
- Find a simple trick or technique,
- Understand why you must develop either your reading, writing, or arithmetic skills,
- Find your ‘autotelic activity’.
Confirming that you were born a genius, the authors point out that Albert Einstein and many other renowned geniuses despite failing to stand out early in life, still managed to defy the status-quo and achieve extra-ordinary success.
In particular, Einstein, whose image has become the epitome of super-intelligence and famous for his ‘theory of relativity’, had difficulty speaking and reading whilst in school, was later expelled, and failed his college entrance exams; however, sixteen years later Einstein won a Nobel Prize and became an international celebrity.
The authors use examples like Einstein to explain why their studies (over 25 years) have led them
Consistently to the conclusion that geniuses are little more than ordinary people…
In support of their assertion, we are told that Einstein attributed the start of his discovery of the ‘theory of relativity’ to when he was daydreaming at the age of sixteen.
Subsequently, his daydreaming caused him to play with questions relating to time and space for a full ten years and it was only years later that he followed up his vision by proving his theory mathematically. As a result, Einstein believed that we could all stimulate ingenious thought by allowing
Our imaginations to float freely, unrestrained by conventional inhibitions, as verbal and mathematical representation will come only after the important creative thinking is done.
In line with this (above), the authors go on to state that they believe we all possess hidden talents and abilities that confirm that we are geniuses; however, to unleash the full power of our genius, we must find our crucial catalyst (p. 13) – because study, practice and hard work can only bring about incremental improvements.
In definition, a crucial catalyst is defined to be
‘A simple trick or knack that will bring our bodies, senses, and minds into critical focus;
And the authors present a technique (Image-Streaming) throughout the book that allows us to discover our simple trick or knack by utilising our subconscious mind.
In support of the authors’ views, I observe that there are many people in the world with outstanding talents, whom continue to study, work, and practice hard, yet fail to achieve a level of excellence associated with being a genius.
However, on the contrary, as a personal life coach, I have experienced and seen how the completion of weekly planning systems (PMS’s) act as a simple technique for hard working individuals, allowing them to achieve things (genius) that simply would not be possible if they were wholly dependent upon study, practice, and hard work (For further details refer to book review: ‘Getting Things Done’).
In further examination of genius, alongside discovering our crucial catalyst, the authors further argue that
We must either develop our reading, writing, or arithmetic skills (left-brain) in conjunction with improving our vision and creatively (right-brain skills).
To emphasis their point, we are referred to several examples such as that made by Alex Osborn, the inventor of brainstorming. Osborn encourages us to imagine the left and right side of our brains functioning like a car.
If we try to drive (i.e. use our brain) by only pressing down on the brake (i.e. using only left-brain skills), or alternatively by only using the accelerator (i.e. using only right-brain skills) then we would not get anywhere, because ideally
‘…we must alternate constantly between creation and analysis, between right and left brain (p. 269).’
Example such as Osborn’s have led the authors to conclude that a person who develops their vision and creativity (right-brain skills) without being able to put his or her discoveries into words or some other form of orderly expression (left-brain skills) cannot truly create or unleash their genius.
They further argue that his or her genius will be useless to others, for it cannot be transmitted.
In addition to the importance of developing our left-brain skills the authors further argue that we must also find our ‘autotelic activity.’ We are told that autotelic comes from the Greek root auto, meaning “self,” and telos, meaning “goal”.
As a result, an autotelic activity is believed to be a goal in it self. For example, we are told that Einstein’s studies of physics were ‘autotelic’ activities, because they were not pursued in hope of gain but out of sheer pleasure.
It is argued that only when we pursue knowledge ‘autotelically’ then will we have the drive and patience to master a skill as thoroughly as Einstein mastered physics, Mozart music, or Disney animation;
As the desire for good grades or a better job act as poor fuel for serious study.
In conclusion, reading ‘The Einstein Factor’ will teach you a tremendous amount (I noted 58 Learning points in total), from complex scientific theories and there relationship to intelligence, to practical guidance on how to increase brain-power.
In this respect, I argue that it seems predictable that the vast majority of people will not know or be able to demonstrate that they are geniuses in their lifetime, as we may be required to learn a lot of unconventional information, which further needs an extra-ordinary level of courage, determination and commitment to implement.
However, if you are seriously interested in developing your talents and abilities, expanding your knowledge, and uncovering your genius
I am certain that reading this book will move you in the right direction.
As a final point, I was surprised to discover that this book was written in the 90’s; therefore, I am sure that this subject matter and the authors work (image-streaming) has some what moved forward considerably over the last 10 years.
In spite of this, I will still urge you to read this book, as it will provide you with a good platform for understanding the nature of intelligence and the science behind it.
I hope this review has done sufficient justice in conveying to you the strengths of ‘The Einstein Factor’ so please feel free to contact me for any further discussion relating to its contents.
Till the next review… take many chances and continue to read strategically.
Yours truly,
Tom