Scenius

= collective genius, or: the communal form of the concept of the genius

Description

1. Brian Eno:

"Scenius stands for the intelligence and the intuition of a whole cultural scene. It is the communal form of the concept of the genius.

Individuals immersed in a productive scenes will blossom and produce their best work. When buoyed by scenes, you act like genius. Your like-minded peers, and the entire environment inspire you."

The geography of a scenes is nurtured by several factors:

• Mutual appreciation — Risky moves are applauded by the group, subtlety is appreciated, and friendly competition goads the shy. Scenius can be thought of as the best of peer pressure.

• Rapid exchange of tools and techniques — As soon as something is invented, it is flaunted and then shared. Ideas flow quickly because they are flowing inside a common language and sensibility.

• Network effects of success — When a record is broken, a hit happens, or breakthrough erupts, the success is claimed by the entire scene. This empowers the scene to further success. (Collective Epic Wins!)

• Local tolerance for the novelties — The local “outside” does not push back too hard against the transgressions of the scene. The renegades and mavericks are protected by this buffer zone."

Discussion

How to support scenius and social innovation?

1. Alex Steffen at http://www.worldchanging.com/archives/008160.html
2. Michel Bauwens at http://blog.p2pfoundation.net/networked-scenius-private-patronage-and-the-partner-state/2008/06/29
3. Kevin Kelly: "Scenius can erupt almost anywhere, and at different scales: in a corner of a company, in a neighborhood, or in an entire region."

(http://www.kk.org/thetechnium/archives/2008/06/scenius_or_comm.php)

More Information

1. Epicenter's of Scenius