passion and intelligence
i sorta meandered from the title on tonight's show, but hopefully it still feels connected somehow. but, even if not, i do think there's something beautiful and true in the idea that passion (interest, curiosity, excitement) is deeply connected to whatever we mean when we talk about intelligence (or depth or innovation or genius). to my eye, it totally seems like they come from the same place. and maybe that's also why it seems, invariably, that the most incredibly minded people are often perceived as a bit off-kilter - weird, intense, etc. which isn't to say that "weird" necessarily equates to intelligence in any given case. cuz surely, "weird" for weird's sake is, sadly, often confused with originality. and there's lots of that going around, i know. but, all the same, on the other side, true iconoclasm and passion (and intelligence) are too-frequently dismissed as merely "weird for weird's sake." which is also a mistake. so, how do we tell which is which, or when? that's the tricky part. :)
authentic passion (the honest kind) - heart and soul and spirit and desire and dreams and interest - always seem (to me) indistinguishable from intellect and innovation and intuition and dynamism. they're like dovetails, or two sides of the same coin - naturally interrelated. i think so. and i'm in awe. cuz - thing is - it always comes in the most surprising forms, and from the most unexpected directions and sources. i think that's what's most amazing. whenever we write someone off, dismiss them as "weird," settle into a prejudice, or think we've got it figured out and ordered - we've got a recipe for change. it's as if our understanding of the world itself intuitively chafes against simplistic rationalization, and needs to stretch and grow and breathe. i don't understand it, but it's pretty cool to see. every time.
it's funny too, cuz in a world like ours - where "normal" is often admired as the greatest of all achievements, and standing out is feared and misjudged and viewed with suspicion - i think it's even more incredible that passion (intelligence) continues and thrives and never stops. for me, that's the most beautiful thing about life itself, being here together, imperfectly, learning from each other, being mistaken, and broken, and needy. sometimes i think it's these needs and incompletenesses themselves that inspire the greatest leaps forward. makes sense to me, as a metaphor. and it fits in with suffering too. i mean, when things aren't alright is when we're most inspired to look for answers, right? seems so. and i think there's something good in there. even though it's technically "not ok".
all that said - the courage and faith required to stand up and speak out of turn, with thought and feeling - to put our hearts on our sleeves, for real - to risk being rejected and misperceived and seen as weak and broken and lost - never ceases to inspire and awe me. seems like the most amazing revolutions are always the most personal, which is also to say the most dangerous. i wonder how you see it? dunno. maybe i'm wrong? could be. but it still feels true. and that's the kind of life i want. i want to be deeply (and really) connected with others. i wanna be honest. and i wanna hear and see the truth. don't know if you do too? i hope so. i suspect we all do. so, in my small way, the podcast, and the music, and the silliness of me typing right here and now, is me trying for that. with you. totally imperfectly. obviously. so, don't know what this means, if anything? but it feels important to try all the same. trying is all we've got. so maybe you'll join me? i hope so. i need you.
i guess episode 47 isn't really about any of this either. at least not explicitly. but it's sorta what's on my mind as i'm uploading. if you have time, i hope you can take a listen to the show and click around the links (below). i'd love to share it with you.
music links:
varona - www.myspace.com/varonaband
nico - www.myspace.com/neekbailey
nico's band, the mannequins - www.myspace.com/mannequinsmusic
check out bob's work at - www.visionaryartz.com
learn more about erich fromm on wikipedia. if you're interested, i also highly recommend his book psychoanalysis and religion. fascinating stuff! seriously.
thanks for reading all this and listening. it means a lot to me.
<3
russell
authentic passion (the honest kind) - heart and soul and spirit and desire and dreams and interest - always seem (to me) indistinguishable from intellect and innovation and intuition and dynamism. they're like dovetails, or two sides of the same coin - naturally interrelated. i think so. and i'm in awe. cuz - thing is - it always comes in the most surprising forms, and from the most unexpected directions and sources. i think that's what's most amazing. whenever we write someone off, dismiss them as "weird," settle into a prejudice, or think we've got it figured out and ordered - we've got a recipe for change. it's as if our understanding of the world itself intuitively chafes against simplistic rationalization, and needs to stretch and grow and breathe. i don't understand it, but it's pretty cool to see. every time.
it's funny too, cuz in a world like ours - where "normal" is often admired as the greatest of all achievements, and standing out is feared and misjudged and viewed with suspicion - i think it's even more incredible that passion (intelligence) continues and thrives and never stops. for me, that's the most beautiful thing about life itself, being here together, imperfectly, learning from each other, being mistaken, and broken, and needy. sometimes i think it's these needs and incompletenesses themselves that inspire the greatest leaps forward. makes sense to me, as a metaphor. and it fits in with suffering too. i mean, when things aren't alright is when we're most inspired to look for answers, right? seems so. and i think there's something good in there. even though it's technically "not ok".
all that said - the courage and faith required to stand up and speak out of turn, with thought and feeling - to put our hearts on our sleeves, for real - to risk being rejected and misperceived and seen as weak and broken and lost - never ceases to inspire and awe me. seems like the most amazing revolutions are always the most personal, which is also to say the most dangerous. i wonder how you see it? dunno. maybe i'm wrong? could be. but it still feels true. and that's the kind of life i want. i want to be deeply (and really) connected with others. i wanna be honest. and i wanna hear and see the truth. don't know if you do too? i hope so. i suspect we all do. so, in my small way, the podcast, and the music, and the silliness of me typing right here and now, is me trying for that. with you. totally imperfectly. obviously. so, don't know what this means, if anything? but it feels important to try all the same. trying is all we've got. so maybe you'll join me? i hope so. i need you.
i guess episode 47 isn't really about any of this either. at least not explicitly. but it's sorta what's on my mind as i'm uploading. if you have time, i hope you can take a listen to the show and click around the links (below). i'd love to share it with you.
music links:
varona - www.myspace.com/varonaband
nico - www.myspace.com/neekbailey
nico's band, the mannequins - www.myspace.com/mannequinsmusic
check out bob's work at - www.visionaryartz.com
learn more about erich fromm on wikipedia. if you're interested, i also highly recommend his book psychoanalysis and religion. fascinating stuff! seriously.
thanks for reading all this and listening. it means a lot to me.
<3
russell