Required Readings: The Genius Myth by Helen Lewis
October 29, 2025
16 min
Bonus
213 of 251
October 29, 2025
Required Readings: The Genius Myth by Helen Lewis
0:00 / 16:44
Excerpt playback isn’t available for this episode — use the full-episode link.
Search the Record
Moment search isn’t open for this episode yet
When it opens, you’ll be able to type any phrase and jump straight to the second it was said.
Timbah on Toast Episodes Around October 29, 2025
Episode 213 of 251 — walk the feed in the order it was published.
16:44This episodeRequired Readings: The Genius Myth by Helen Lewis
Summary
<p>In another exciting Required Reading episode, Chris and Matt offer their penetrating, high IQ thoughts on the latest book by journalist and podcast quizmaster, Helen Lewis. Titled 'The Genius Myth: The Dangerous Allure of Rebels, Monsters, and Rule Breakers', the book tears into some of the long-enduring myths surrounding historical and contemporary geniuses from Picasso to Elon Musk. It's a critical dissection of gurus and devoted fans, so very on topic! And yes, it is better than Cod...</p><p>Full episode is available to Patreons on the Revolutionary Genius tier! (1hr 13 mins).</p><p>Join us at: <a href="https://www.patreon.com/DecodingTheGurus" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.patreon.com/DecodingTheGurus</a></p><p><strong>Links</strong></p><ul><li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Genius-Myth-Curious-History-Dangerous/dp/B0DX9W74SZ" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Genius Myth: A Curious History of a Dangerous Idea by Helen Lewis</a></li><li><a href="https://philosophersmag.com/unexceptional-genius/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Snippy Review at The Philosophers Magazine</a></li><li><a href="https://observer.co.uk/culture/the-arts/article/debunking-the-myth-of-male-genius" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Less snippy review at the Observer</a></li></ul><br /><p><strong>Required Reading: The Genius Myth</strong></p><p>00:00 Book Review: Genius Myth</p><p>04:11 The Genius Myth: Book Thoughts!</p><p>07:02 Exploring the Concept of Genius</p><p>08:49 IQ Tests and High IQ Societies</p><p>10:55 Social Perception of Intelligence</p><p>12:20 Elon Musk and Modern Genius</p><p>16:08 Historical Perspectives on Genius</p><p>18:42 The people behind the Geniuses</p><p>25:15 The Role of Context and Luck</p><p>27:44 Mythmaking and Cultural Icons</p><p>45:01 The Flawed Genius Stereotype</p><p>50:50 What about Tim Robinson?</p><p>52:51 The deranging impact of attention</p><p>01:03:33 Overall Thoughts</p><p>01:12:44 Better than Cod</p>
Episode details and artwork are published by the show’s own feed. Sentinel plays short cited excerpts and links every episode back to its publisher.