Do you think humans are born to be genius(with all the confidence, skills, creativity, passion for learning, everything), but that was prevented due to negative environment? or do you think we are born stupid and learn to be genius through mental conditioning and such?
Welcome Elusive. Did you have this post in mind when you decided on your nick?
I try to exercise humility but consider myself a bright boy. I loathe my ex but cannot deny her innate intelligence. Thus I have to recognize in our child, her pronounced intellect. Whether or not this is simply parental bias remains to be seen. In either case, I think a nurturing environment is necessary for intelligence to flourish. I don’t know that an either or proposition is the proper way to view genius or any degree of intellect. It is dependent on both base ability and the environment for growth that is provided.
lacking either is a hinderance and possessing both is a blessing. Most of us got dealt a hand somewhere in between. Nice to have you aboard.
I’m going to be a pain in the ass and say “Define genius.”
Was Mozart a genius? Michael Jordan? Twyla Tharp? My cat Ichabod who knows how to open the microwave?
Julie
I think that my opinion on this question can best be explained by a metaphor: children are seeds.
A “high quality” seed can be stunted in its growth by lack of essential elements: sunlight, water, fertile soil . . . An “average” seed will thrive if given plenty of these. It may not grow into the tallest, most bountiful plant, but it will do well. A “lower quality” seed can be coaxed into being a frutiful plant by careful nurture.
Likewise, a child who has a high propensity for intelligence is still a product of his environment, in most cases. If never properly taught, stimulated, or encouraged s/he might not reach his/her full potential, and turn out quite “average.” An average child, even a slow-learner, can really flourish if encouraged to, and helped along on the right path.
It’s all a matter of encouragement and the effort to utilize what you have.
No he’s not, until he learns how to put in a TV dinner and turn the damn thing on. 
Nothing else to add, since Lissa said it all perfectly well.
I think that my opinion on this question can best be explained by a metaphor: children are silly putty.
A “high quality” silly putty can be molded into almost any shape, providing that shape is blobish and pink. You can also imprint certain information (such as Dilbert) in high quality silly putty that would be utter gibberish in the cheap knockoffs. Also, high quality silly putty bounces much further when you whip it against the wall.
Likewise, a putty who has a high propensity for imprinting is still a product of its environment, in most cases. If never exposed to anything funnier that Cathy s/he might not reach his/her full potential, and turn out quite "boring”. An average putty, even one which is does not hold its shape well, can really flourish in the right hands.
It’s all a matter of encouragement and the effort to utilize what you have. (and having enough quarters)
About genius, modesty aside, I did very well in the university; but I always fear that I don’t have as much intelligence as many other fellow alumni of my university. My I.Q. puts me as above average but not exceptionally brilliant. Honestly, my academic prominence was more due to hard work and intellectual interest than really genuine mental acuity. Others can operate a cell-phone right away, but I have to patiently read on the manual.
What I have always secretly thought about is that if I could hire geniuses then I might ask them to work on the task of making a lot of money, without of course getting in trouble with the law. Big easy quick money, is what I want to think geniuses should give themselves to. Money is the measure of a man’s achievement in this world. That’s how mateialistic I am, to be frank.
I do have a comfortable savings account in the bank and my income is still good so far, and I think I can look toward more financially good years to come. But as usual it is not due to my intellectual superiority, but owing to good luck, hard work, which happens to be also rather enjoyable.
My point is this: if I can get geniuses to work for me, I would like them to do nothing but to think up ways and means to make a lot of money, what I call the BEQ money: big easy quick money – without getting in trouble with the law.
Susma Rio Sep
The silly putty and seed analogies were apt, although possibly incomplete. I think the development of natural, balanced (more or less) intelligence is, more often than not, the product of gentle nurturing and proper stimulation upon an average infantile mind.
However, I think “genius”, by my own loose definition of “an unusually strong talent for one or two particular realms of knowledge” or “quick apperception of anything that strikes said person’s fancy,”, is best nurtured by adversity or a rather poor environment by the usual standards. Consider the number of “geniuses” of one sort or another, who are considered mentally ill by today’s definitions–although that presupposes the notion that mental illness is also influenced environmentally to a strong degree.
In Magic Trees of the Mind, Diamond and Hopson describe the measurable increase of neurons due to ordinary and extraordinary stimulation, and the pruning of “blank” and/or little-used neurons. I surmise that a genius is one who, through unusual circumstance, has certain pathways heavily pruned or even redistributed in favor of a narrow focus. An ordinary child in an ordinary environment, or even an enriched environment, would not experience this neurological effect to nearly the degree that I suspect geniuses do. It is even possible that pure neglect in some areas can lead to rapid progress in others; for instance, a child who is kept confined to home, with little peer contact and few toys, can acquire a remarkable imagination just to avoid boredom, and because there are few other influences distracting or competing with hours of pure thought. But I digress.
Very occasionally we encounter people who seem to be naturally (?) talented in quite a few areas, who are gifted in many subjects. But through casual observation, it is often noticed that they are below norm in areas that most take for granted; hence, the “absent-minded professor,” the physically ungraceful intellectual, etc.
So, I’m really just suggesting that the converse of the OP’s first question (which I would answer with a yes)
is also true; that a deficiency in exposure to things other than certain intellectual achievements can produce a genius as opposed to merely a smart child…not that that’s sound parenting advice. To revert to Lissa’s seed analogy, a nourishing environment to many sprouts would often produce a flourishing plant (a typically intelligent person), but an extreme environment can sometimes produce a bonzai tree (or genius).
Welcome elusive mind, Elemenopy.
I think that genius is a matter of deeds. So there’s no way that one could be born a genius.
The potential for genius is probably like other aspect of personality in that it part of the complex interaction between individual and enviroment.
I think most people are subjected to varying degrees of psychological sabotage from birth. For some reason some people cope with this better than others. I wouldn’t be surprised if altering society could raise the average IQ by 20 points.
I started reading sci-fi at age 9. This was mostly accidental. I started ignoring my teachers and was launching rockets in 7th grade. A lot of scientists and engineers admit they read sci-fi at early ages. I try to encourage people to get their kids to read it.
The brain is growing until age 15. I presme mental stimulation encourages more and different neural connections. Traditionalists want to restrict information access. Do you ever think Jews have higher IQs because of their religion. Christianity shuts down childrens minds.
Catholic school was BORING!
Dal Timgar
I think any reading is vital, not necessarily sf.
Narrow-mindedness isn’t restricted to Christians.
Julie
What did Melville say about rockets and computers?
Kids are the future don’t stick their minds in the past.