Should Search for Basic Concepts Before Considering Themselves a Genius

How does society view intelligence and creativity differently at various stages of life?

When someone is young and demonstrates the ability to grasp 'existing concepts' or 'innovate in their own way' that seem beyond their years, they are often celebrated as a "genius."

The young genius appears to be discovering or inventing something new, even if it’s already established knowledge.

In other words, people view young individuals with 'low expectations' due to their 'lack of experience' and 'immaturity' in general.

Thus, a young person’s ability to grasp 'existing concepts' or 'innovate in their own way' earns them higher praise.
This is because we tend to associate youth with potential and novelty.

As they age, however, society’s expectations shift.
Adults are expected to have acquired a certain amount of knowledge and experience.

When they "discover something that already exists" or "interpret established knowledge 'in their own way'" without recognizing prior work, it’s often seen as less impressive or even naive.

This is because adults are expected to have done their homework, so to speak—to be aware of existing theories and discoveries before claiming something as their own.

🕵🏻🔎 Here is my analogy with food :
Just as a person who has tried many foods can predict the taste of a dish from its photo or description, an experienced adult might be able to foresee outcomes or understand concepts without needing to rediscover them from scratch.

In essence, adults should search to determine whether the concept they thought of already exists or not.

When an adult mistakenly considers themselves a 'genius,' it often indicates a lack of 'common knowledge' and 'basic understanding.'

In other words, an adult who thinks they are a genius without any proven achievements is likely a person who lacks shame and conscience.